Whole Hog

This is the Dakota Hogsback’s version of the north ridge of Montezuma’s Tower in Garden of the Gods. It is a fun, exposed, adventurous romp up the entire spine of the north ridge of the Dakota Hogsback formation.

Begin by climbing one of five routes or their variations: High on the Hog, DH Rightmost, Hog Heaven, When Pigs Fly, or Hog Wild. Belay your second up to either of these three anchors. All of these anchors have pretty good ledges to stand on. Hog Heaven or When Pigs Fly stay the truest to climbing the entire spine of the Hogsback the entire way. From these pitch 1 anchors, climb directly up the spine of the Hogsback ridge staying true to the ridge until topping out on the formation. You will be able to easily scramble off the top of the formation to the south with relatively little exposure. You will need to utilize trad pro for protection when climbing along the ridge and to build a trad anchor at the top of the formation. A three piece anchor can be built or something to sling can be found. Good places for trad pro exist along the ridge.

With judicious use of extensions, one may be able to link Hog Heaven and Whole Hog in one long pitch but this is not recommended due to rope drag concerns.

This is a traditionally protected second pitch to one of the five routes listed above. This route climbs up the spine of the north ridge of the Dakota Hogsback formation.

A standard rack of nuts and cams to #2 BD. A confident leader could get by with a single rack. Alpine slings to extend pieces are necessary.