Better Than Pool and Pie ascends a fairly low angle slab with big holds just left of the dam. To reach it, take a right after walking under the chockstone. The route is a few hundred feet down the trail, and is the most obvious, least runout, and easiest looking line of bolts.
The best part of the route is topping out and looking down at the lake. This is a beautiful spot, and a great safe moderate climb.
This a a good climb to take first time climbers up. It is fun and very easy to get to
By Dakota Kid From: Rochester Hills, MI Jul 14, 2006 rating: 5.4 PG13
Concur with AC -- this was my first climb outside of a gym. No fear on this one.
By Peter Arndt From: Baraboo, WI Jul 3, 2007 rating: 5.4
Long and very easy climb. Nice view of lake from summit. 60 meter rope will more than get you down. 50 meter probably as well.
By Peter Arndt From: Baraboo, WI Jul 5, 2007 rating: 5.4
Just climbed this route last week and I guess my 60 meter rope is WAY longer than 60 meters as Terra Firma was gained easily. (not to get into a pissing match here)
By Paul Huebner From: Portage, WI Jul 8, 2007 rating: 5.4
Sixty meter rope definitely hits the deck. The main task is to keep it dry by throwing to your right away from the small drainage from the lake that occurs inside the rock cleft to the right as you face the climb. There's also a nice 5.7 bolted route that angles towards the rock cleft and then back left just to the right of Pools. Don't know its name. Obviously, the same anchor is used on both climbs.
By Erik Tullberg From: Colorado Springs Jul 27, 2008 rating: 5.6 R
Maybe I'm a wimp, but the face at the top doesn't appear to be bolted (couldn't find one) providing for at least a 30' runout. Sure, the climbing is easy, but who wants to chance a 60' fall even if it's highly unlikely. I hooked a horn for a little extra pro, but I didn't have any stoppers or cams with me to throw in the crack... so if you're wimpy like me, take up some cams and/or a little extra webbing (I used a shoulder length runner). If you don't want to risk the face, you can cut left behind the flake to an easy free-soloable chimney.
Regarding the rating, in my opinion there is a 5.6 move 1/3 of the way up so the climb should really be rated on that and I agree with the original rating. The rest of it is 5.4 and the top is probably 5.3. Also, the second bolt is a ground fall (if you fall before you get there), fwiw.
Dam - Back Side
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