Deep Blue

Pitches from base of Tower:

1. 5.11 (20m) — Route starts ~100ft left of Vanishing Point on a fin-like flake right off the ground. Mount flake and pull over a small bulge to easier climbing.

2. 5.12 (30m) — Immediately move right from the belay and continue up and right through several cruxes on sculpted stone.

3. 5.10 (25m) — Fun climbing in a corner to a layback crux to a ledge. Link with next pitch.

4. 5.6 (20m) — Continue up some easy-5th climbing to a higher belay.

5. 3rd class (35m) — Traverse ledge to an anchor.

6. 5.12- (35m) — A couple low boulders lead into an easy layback to the top of a mini tower.

7. 5.12 (35m) — Climb through the roof then beautiful technical edges to a ledge. Some intriguing 5.11 climbing leads to a higher ledge below the crux pitch.

8. 5.13c (35m) — Climb sporty and sustained overhang to crux establishing on vertical face. Rest and then execute a hard boulder on an undercling crack. Keep it together for more slightly overhanging hard climbing (redpoint crux), and a heart-breaking boulder 10ft below the anchors. Make sure to have all 16 draws.

9. 5.10 (30m) — Face moves to 5.8 crack. Step left after the 3rd bolt before continuing straight up. Possible to link with the next pitch.

10. 5.11 (15m) — Climb overhang on right side into face climbing to a small ledge below a roof.

11. 5.12+ (25m) — Start with steep 5.10 laybacking on flakes to an alcove. Pull over the roof to V6 crux on perfect edges. Continue up steep and sequential climbing on cool holds to a good stance.

12. 5.11+ (25m) — Face climbing leads to a bulge boulder on rails and side pulls. Pitch ends on a large ledge.

13. 5.10 (15m) — Short pitch starting up a blunt arete to a ledge. Best to link with the next pitch.

14. 5.11- (30m) — Continue up the blunt arete pitch and over a bulge to another large ledge.

15. 5.10 (35m) — Easy crack to blunt arete to the top of Dolomite Tower.

Single BD .2 to .75, 16 draws (4 alpine). Cams are only needed for the approach pitches.

Follow Dolomite Tower approach beta.

Descent track can be found on the map under the Mt. Baring or Dolomite Tower pages. In summary, walk straight off the backside of the tower and cut left as soon as possible (after the gully between Dolomite Tower and Mt. Baring proper). Traverse the backside of Baring, not loosing much elevation until the main Baring climber’s trail is reached. Expect the walk off to take 2.5-3 hours.

Obligatory Free Grade: Most of the climbing is 5.12 or easier, so if you're a solid 5.12 climber, a bit of free-aid on the crux pitch is certainly doable. 

Anchors: All anchors are bolted. The whole route can be rappelled with a 70, though it’s probably faster to walk off.

Water: Through most of the summer (maybe until August-ish at least), there’s a drip left of the start of the first 5.11 pitch.