All Locations > S Dakota > Needles Of Rush… > Mt Rushmore Nat… > S Seas

Hornets Nest Rock Climbing

Climbing Area Map

Routes in Hornets Nest

L › R R › L A › Z

	Anaphylactic Shock S 5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c
	Beeline T 5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
	Beetle Juice S 5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b
	Bug's Tomorrow S 5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b
	Butterfly S 5.12c/d 7c 28 IX 28 E6 6b
	Hornet's Chimney T 5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a
	Lonesome Cowboy T 5.12 7b+ 27 VIII+ 26 E6 6b
	Lonesome Dawn T 5.11 6c+ 23 VIII- 23 E4 5c
	Mothra S 5.13a 7c+ 29 IX+ 29 E6 6c
	Mr. Critical S 5.11 6c+ 23 VIII- 23 E4 5c
	Mr. Critical Variation S 5.12- 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a
	Pollinator, The S 5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
	Second Hand Rose Arete S 5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b
	Swarm S 5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b
	Vespidae S 5.8+ 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
	W.A.S.P. (center variation start) T,S 5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a

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GPS:	43.88658, -103.46677 Google Map · Climbing Area Map
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Description

This rock and Shipyard Rock are the two large formations in the South Seas area. Hornets' Nest has many fine routes on it, many of which are very difficult. The average rating is probably around 5.11, but routes vary from 5.4 to 5.13 on its various faces. Mr. Critical, Second Hand Rose, and WASP are all very fun routes. Hornets' Nest is made up mostly of routes requiring only quickdraws, but a few routes require gear as well. To descend, pick one of many fixed anchor rappels, and bring two ropes.

Getting There

Walk into the South Seas sign-in area. There are two large formations straight ahead. Shipyard Rock is the one on the right, and Hornets' Nest is on the left. Many routes start on this face, but for others, follow the trail around its base.

16 Total Climbs

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Classic Climbing Routes at Hornets Nest

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.

5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b 287 ● Second Hand Rose Arete Sport
5.8+ 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c 9 ● Vespidae Sport
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a 61 ● W.A.S.P. (center variation start) Trad, Sport
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a 23 ● Hornet's Chimney Trad
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b 89 ● The Pollinator Sport
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c 43 ● Anaphylactic Shock Sport
5.11 6c+ 23 VIII- 23 E4 5c 92 ● Mr. Critical Sport
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b 7 ● Swarm Sport
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b 42 ● Beetle Juice Sport
5.12 7b+ 27 VIII+ 26 E6 6b 6 ● Lonesome Cowboy Trad
5.12c/d 7c 28 IX 28 E6 6b 16 ● Butterfly Sport
5.13a 7c+ 29 IX+ 29 E6 6c 8 ● Mothra Sport