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Red Pulpit

5.6, Trad, TR, 50 ft (15 m),  Avg: 2.4 from 67 votes
FA: unknown
Wisconsin > Baraboo Range > Devil's Lake > E Bluff 06 - Ba… > 2. Balanced Rock Wall

Description

The Red Pulpit sits slighty to the left of the oak tree that sits near the southeast half of the Balanced Rock Wall. You can identify the route by finding the "pulpit" sticking out the of the rock about 15 feet up. Start out just to the left of the pulpit on a very thin crack (the crux is getting off the ground). Climb up the crack and pass the pulpit on your right. Stand on the pulpit for a rest, then continue up the crack to the top.

Want a lovely variation? After the first crack, keep going staight up; don't go to the pulpit. You have a couple of very nice, balancy 5.8 moves. You'll like it!

Protection

Standard Rack

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

Andy leads Red Pulpit. Spicy lead until on the pulpit.
[Hide Photo] Andy leads Red Pulpit. Spicy lead until on the pulpit.
Fear and Trembling (9), Red Pulpit (8), Aahrg (7), Sunken Pillar (6)
[Hide Photo] Fear and Trembling (9), Red Pulpit (8), Aahrg (7), Sunken Pillar (6)
Andy on the start of Red Pulpit. Fun first moves on a marginal small Metolius cam.
[Hide Photo] Andy on the start of Red Pulpit. Fun first moves on a marginal small Metolius cam.
Photo taken 10.20.02 by Allen Daily. Wait...then who's on belay?
[Hide Photo] Photo taken 10.20.02 by Allen Daily. Wait...then who's on belay?
Gettin' ready for the Valley
[Hide Photo] Gettin' ready for the Valley
left of big tree on Balanced Rock wall
[Hide Photo] left of big tree on Balanced Rock wall

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

Andy Hansen
Longmont, CO
  5.6
[Hide Comment] I would not recommend this route to the beginning leader despite the grade. The lower takes a very small cam and then there is little to no good pro until you're on top of the pulpit. From there the route takes great stoppers. Nov 1, 2010
Doug Hemken
Delta, CO
 
[Hide Comment] Between the crux and the pulpit, where the climbing is easy, a tiny cam and/or a micro-nut provide some pro. Above the pulpit the gear is bomber. Jun 30, 2011
Jeff Christbaum
Muskego, WI
  5.6
[Hide Comment] An easy top-rope climb, but as others have said the pro is limited (at best) below the pulpit. Once standing on the pulpit, beware of our stinging friends in a crack to the right. It was pretty cold when we were there a few weeks back, but they were starting to come out anyway. Apr 30, 2012
James Schroeder
Fort Collins, CO
  5.6
[Hide Comment] The crux is getting off the ground, from there the difficulty eases significantly. As noted previously, the gear is a bit suspect until standing on the pulpit. Mar 16, 2015
Jeff VS
[Hide Comment] Want a lovely variation? After the first crack, keep going staight up; don't go to the pulpit. You have a couple of very nice, balancy 5.8 moves. You'll like it! Jul 24, 2016