Höhe Hinterland  Photos:  Recent | Best | Popular Page Views:  2,040. Good page? (2 likes)    Administrators:  Jay Knower, M Sprague, lee hansche, Tom Erickson Submitted By:  Ryan Barber on May 18, 2012 Make this area a Favorite What's New   Print a Mini-Guide with routes Add Route  Add Photo  Add Comment  Add Event  Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri 77° | 57° 68° | 48° 75° | 48° 73° | 50° 66° | 36°

Brad Hanging out at the base of Wünderkind during ...

Description 

The "high" or upper Hinderlands area is between Dolt and Giant man, but above all the established climbs on the lower ledge. This has been a destination of interest for Bradley White since the 1980 when he spotted the magnificent Wünderkind roof from Hole in the Wall. Catastrophic inspiration led him into a free solo attempt to scout out the area via the dirty gully right of Dolt. Thirty feet up into the dike, a hold of rotten rock broke loose sending him for a mighty slide inevitably spitting him out all the way back to the trail next to the belay for Hinderland Highway. Thirty years later, Bradley was inspired to reach out again for this region after reading about the mistake in the new guidebook which drew the Mean Lean directly on what later became Wünderkind.

Hohe Hinderland now holds a handful of routes and variations over convoluted landscape making the topos difficult to draw out along with all the other routes on the Hinterlands proper. The area has seen minimal human impact, and therefore users must use great caution navigating the terrain as there are still loose rocks which could easily spill down onto climbers below despite recent efforts to clean up the ledge to make it a safer environment. The dirty gully is especially treacherous as a lot of the rock is wet and rotten and when dislodged can easily launch out across the path just right of the Dolt and Hinterland Highway belay stations.

Geologically, the Hinderlands is one of the most fascinating areas of Rumney in many peoples opinion, and the same holds true of its upper walls which contain a variety of quartz / schist conglomerates. The belay ledges are very secluded and comfortable and for the adventurous, they offer a prime getaway from the sometimes overcrowded cragging community.

For retreat, there are a variety of options, all of which require mindful caution. Topping out and walking off from the Crow's Nest trail is always an option. Otherwise, the group of trees at the base of Schwarze Weissnergrat will take you down Back Crack direct to the base of the gully. A third option would be to traverse to the Ale 8 anchors left of Cold Feet and rap off the chains.

Getting There 

As of now, there is no quick and easy access to the ledges. Back Crack Direct climbs directly to the ledge at 5.10a (trad required). Otherwise Cold Feet can be traversed to the Ale 8 anchors, and then out left to the ledge. A few pieces of small gear may be helpful to protect the second. In the future, a safe passage through the dirty gully may be produced, but as of now, this way should be avoided.

The Classics

Featured Route For Höhe Hinterland

Wünderkind 5.11c  NH : Rumney : Höhe Hinterland

This roof is one of the last super features to be set up at Rumney, and its beautifully aesthetic geology can be clearly seen from Buffalo Road and even from Route 25 for those who know well the mountain. Originally done as a ground up aid climb by hang-dogging on gear and cleaning the debris, it is now ready to be climbed by traveling Rumney sportsters. With positive gear placements most of the way through, it still has the potential for a clean traditional ascent with one short section of pg...[more]   Browse More Classics in NH