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Elevation: 413 ft
GPS: 41.55965, -72.81109
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 52,558 total · 452/month
Shared By: Kurtz on Aug 29, 2014 · Updates
Admins: Morgan Patterson
Warning Access Issue: Permits Required to Climb on City of Meriden, CT properties. DetailsDrop down

Description Suggest change

Cathole is a small but worthwhile traprock (basalt) crag located just north of the Meriden Mall. Cathole is popular because it offer routes at all levels of difficulty and the approach is very short.

While there are some excellent leads, most routes are top roped. There is no fixed hardware so always try to build a gear anchor before using long static rope/webbing to reach trees that are well back from the cliff edge. Watch for sharp edges.

Cathole is notorious for loose rock so wear a helmet at all times.

Road traffic can be quite heavy and the resulting noise makes it very difficult to communicate. Plan accordingly.

The Main Walls area contains 99% of the climbing. The Southern Wall has only a handful of routes.

See Ragged Mountain Foundation for access details.

Getting There Suggest change

Drive 0.4 miles north from the junction of Rt. 71 (Chamberlain Highway) and Kensington Ave. in Meriden, CT. Hop the curb and park alongside the road on the right (east side).

If travelling south on Rt. 71, it's best to spot the parking area on your left as you pass, then continue 100 yards further and turn around in the large gated driveway on your left.

The approach trail starts at the north (uphill) end of the parking area.

33 Total Climbs

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Location: Cathole Mountain Change
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Classic Climbing Routes at Cathole Mountain

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b
 65
Golden Book
Trad, TR
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 107
Pegasus
Trad, TR
5.8+ 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c R
 28
Saturday Night Special
Trad, TR
5.9- 5c 17 VI 16 HVS 4c
 20
Arrowhead
Trad, TR
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 18
Realm of the Senses
Trad, TR
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 31
White Fandango
Trad
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a R
 4
Catapult
Trad, TR
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 6
Fool's Mate
Trad, TR
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a R
 20
Cat-o-Nine-Tails
Trad
5.10- 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a PG13
 43
Mind Bender Direct
Trad, TR
5.10- 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 8
Feline
Trad
5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b
 18
Millions of Dead Dogs
TR
5.10+ 6b+ 21 VII+ 20 E3 5b
 14
Jaguar
TR
5.11+ 7a 24 VIII 24 E4 6a
 6
Imperial Wizard
TR
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Golden Book Main Walls
 65
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b Trad, TR
Pegasus Main Walls
 107
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Trad, TR
Saturday Night Special Main Walls
 28
5.8+ 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c R Trad, TR
Arrowhead Main Walls
 20
5.9- 5c 17 VI 16 HVS 4c Trad, TR
Realm of the Senses Main Walls
 18
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Trad, TR
White Fandango Main Walls
 31
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Trad
Catapult Main Walls
 4
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a R Trad, TR
Fool's Mate Main Walls
 6
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Trad, TR
Cat-o-Nine-Tails Main Walls
 20
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a R Trad
Mind Bender Direct Main Walls
 43
5.10- 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a PG13 Trad, TR
Feline Main Walls
 8
5.10- 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Trad
Millions of Dead Dogs Main Walls
 18
5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b TR
Jaguar Main Walls
 14
5.10+ 6b+ 21 VII+ 20 E3 5b TR
Imperial Wizard Main Walls
 6
5.11+ 7a 24 VIII 24 E4 6a TR
More Classic Climbs in Cathole Mountain »

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