Mountain Project Logo
To save paper & ink, use the [Hide] controls next to photos and comments so you only print what you need.

Pig Pen

5.12a/b, Sport, 40 ft (12 m),  Avg: 3.6 from 70 votes
FA: Boone Speed
Utah > Wasatch Range > Southern Wasatch > American Fork C… > Little Mill Area
Warning Access Issue: Located in a National Forest Fee Area DetailsDrop down

Description

Steepest section of rock. Amazing pockets leads to center crux. followed by huge slots to the chains. STEEP!

Location

Little Mill Campground .. no more campsite .. obvious steeeeeeep rock on side of road.

Protection

QD's

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

went back and found this at the base of the climb, it still goes, but is considerably harder... possibly harder than Woodstock now
[Hide Photo] went back and found this at the base of the climb, it still goes, but is considerably harder... possibly harder than Woodstock now
Pig Pen 12a/b
[Hide Photo] Pig Pen 12a/b
moving to the glue-in
[Hide Photo] moving to the glue-in

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

Bad Sock Puppet
  5.12a
[Hide Comment] I've said this about several climbs in American Fork but I'll say it again, a must do classic! Boone Speed really hit the mark with this one. Easiest approach in the canyon. Start on a verticle face up to the high first bolt right at the beginning of the overhang. The face is littered with positive holds, but nothing but big moves will leave you pumped. Making dropknees your best friend will make this one a cinch. Aug 23, 2009
Ryan Stott
Salt Lake City, UT
 
[Hide Comment] BSP is right. This is a must-do classic for AF, and there are no excuses to check it out, since the approach is zero. Pig Pen is the furthest right of the 3 climbs on this wall. Woodstock is the steep climb up the arete of this wall, but it isn't on Mountain Project. A useful hold broke off Woodstock last weekend, and it is a bit harder than 12b now. Apr 27, 2012
Kip H
Farmington, utah
  5.12a/b
[Hide Comment] For the 12a climber this will be a fabulous workout. For me there were 3 definite cruxes. The holds are actually fairly positive with some huge jugs - yet the past vertical climbing will wear you out. Long moves and finding the right feet with the clock ticking is the name of the game. Go send it. 9 stars. May 24, 2012
Brennan Crellin
Sandy, UT
  5.12a/b
[Hide Comment] Low-grade climb to high first bolt. Sustained large moves on bomber holds through all bolts to chains. Crux in center at right-slanted flake. Proper sequence and high feet on the big moves make this an awesome climb! Jul 2, 2012
Spencer Weiler
Grand Junction
  5.11c/d
[Hide Comment] Fantastic jug pulling. Super easy for grade. The approach is a killer. Jul 31, 2013
[Hide Comment] Manufactured? I swear there was a glue on hold about 2/3 the way up... looks like a solid 13 without the hold though. Great, consistent, reachy, steep, jug haul otherwise! Worth hopping on. Have fun with the tree on the rap! Nov 8, 2013
Leify Guy
  5.12a/b
[Hide Comment] 5 bolts and chains... Feb 22, 2014
Leify Guy
  5.12a/b
[Hide Comment] The crimp rail/flake started to flex, it felt like it was coming loose... it looks like it was glued at one point, but could definitely use a new glue job... May 13, 2014
Rob Job
Provo, UT
[Hide Comment] Great route. Once you've dialed in the beta this climb is a lot of fun. Until then, it is pretty pumpy. Actually, even with the beta dialed in it's still pretty pumpy. The right rail that you move off of to get to the left pocket where you clip the 3rd bold moved ever so slightly. May 23, 2014
Leify Guy
  5.12a/b
[Hide Comment] Returned to find the crimp rail at the base of the route, the route still goes, but is quite a bit more difficult... Jul 7, 2014
Justin Roth
Ventura, CA
[Hide Comment] Pretty sure the fallen crimp has already been glued back on. It is now a comfy finger bucket. Jun 1, 2015
James Leavy
Provo, Uah
  5.12b
[Hide Comment] I went to climb this just last week, and like Leif said, the crimp rail is gone and hasn't been glued back on. Behind where the crimp rail was is a small crimp which cannot be matched on, you have to lock off with one arm and head straight for the big pocket. It honestly seems more fun this way though. Probably 12c. Jun 14, 2015
Tristan Mayfield
SLC, UT
  5.12b
[Hide Comment] Super fun! Don't glue the crimp rail back on as the crux move is so satisfying when you stick it! Also, if you're looking at the grade and expecting a 12a, just keep in mind that it would be quite stout, it's just as hard a Helix in my opinion. Jun 22, 2016
Matthew Colemere
Alpine, UT
  5.12a/b
[Hide Comment] Great route with big moves on big holds. The crux is pretty sharp and in your face, but I think that the crimp rail falling off doesn't make this any harder than the original grade (5.12a/b). Jul 11, 2017
Benjamin Eaton
Sandy, UT
[Hide Comment] Got on this today and saw that there is a glued on hold between the fourth and fifth bolts. Is that the "crimp rail" everyone is talking about? Or did the "crimp rail" used to exist between the second and third bolts where the big move is now? Aug 21, 2019
Kyle Lindsay
Orem, UT
 
[Hide Comment] If there's a carabiner on the 2nd or 3rd bolt, and there should be, don't take it. It's not from bailing. It's to help cleaning the route when lowering by taking out your rope closer to the belayer and put the rope closer to your harness in this cleaning biner. This helps you and others not fly into the tree and clean the last quickdraws. Aug 31, 2020
jed wards
vt
  5.12b
[Hide Comment] The tree is so close to the last 10 feet of this climb that it slightly pushes you into the wall (aid??). Don’t punt the last bolt or chains and risk impaling yourself. Could be the best 12- in the canyon if it wasn’t there imo May 23, 2025
Parker Hyatt
Farmington, UT
[Hide Comment] Joe Kinder save us!! Mar 24, 2026
Kyle Goupil
Salt Lake City
  5.12b
[Hide Comment] The tree has been cut down so no more danger of being impaled. There is also now a fixed draw on the 2nd bolt.

Excellent route with a stout boulder problem right in the middle. May 4, 2026