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Rainbow Crack

5.9, Trad, TR, 40 ft (12 m),  Avg: 2.9 from 12 votes
FA: unknown
Wisconsin > Baraboo Range > Devil's Lake > E Bluff 08 - N End > Monolith Blocks

Description

A gorgeous crack! Starts off with steep fingers and hands, then turns into an off-width struggle at the top. Reminds me of "Via Apia".

Location

Heading South from Elephant Rock, pass the Tomahawk and the Monolith Blocks. Where the trail dips into a little saddle, beyond (South of) Monolith Blocks (and before the Monolith bouldering area), turn right (East) and walk North along the base of the rock for 10-20 yards.

N 43.42233
W 89.72404

Protection

Gear to 2-3 inches is adequate, but you'll appreciate gear to 8-10 inches for the upper offwidth.

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

Rainbow Crack
[Hide Photo] Rainbow Crack
Rainbow Crack - on a separate buttress south of Monolith blocks proper.
[Hide Photo] Rainbow Crack - on a separate buttress south of Monolith blocks proper.
Routes on the separate colorful wall south of Monolith blocks proper
[Hide Photo] Routes on the separate colorful wall south of Monolith blocks proper
Stephen on the starting hand crack
[Hide Photo] Stephen on the starting hand crack

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

Doug Hemken
Delta, CO
  5.9
[Hide Comment] Went back and did this one a second time. It is possible to avoid most of the offwidth moves at the top, if you find just the right face holds. In that case, this might be more of a 5.8 than 5.9. Jul 4, 2012
James Schroeder
Fort Collins, CO
  5.9
[Hide Comment] Doug's comparison to Via Apia is apt. If you've done that, enjoyed it, and found yourself dreaming of a harder version of it, then Rainbow Crack is for you. It's a fun offwidth (if you're into that sort of thing - not that there's anything wrong with that) and it climbs pretty well. My last three pieces were (in order) C4's #4, #5, #6 - and I was grateful to have the #6 C4 near the top. If you're sitting at the base and contemplating leaving the #6 behind; don't. Sep 27, 2015
Burton Lindquist
Madison, WI
[Hide Comment] No real hand jams in the low to middle section of Rainbow Crack More like
off-with rattle fingers I would say. I found gear in all the little horizontals. I call this route 5.9.. especially on the onsight lead. Oct 23, 2016