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Brinton's Direct

5.8+, Trad, TR, 90 ft (27 m),  Avg: 3.5 from 127 votes
FA: Pete Cleveland
Wisconsin > Baraboo Range > Devil's Lake > E Bluff 04 - E… > 07: Brinton's Buttress

Description

Brinton's Direct is an excellent variation to the mega-classic Brinton's Crack. Rather than traversing right at the alcove (a la Brinton's Crack), Brinton's Direct forges a bold path straight up the face. These tenuous and airy moves lead directly (hence the name) to the top of the buttress.

On lead, the climb protects fairly well, but it's just run-out enough to give it that unique Devil's Lake feel. All in all, The Direct is a very worthwhile route on one of the best chunks of stone in the park.

Protection

Standard Rack

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

Brinton's Buttress right side. There's lots of ways to get from the ground to where the meaty part of these routes begin. For example, to get to Brinton's Crack, one book says scramble 20 ft up slab and another says climb left facing corner.
[Hide Photo] Brinton's Buttress right side. There's lots of ways to get from the ground to where the meaty part of these routes begin. For example, to get to Brinton's Crack, one book says scramble 20 ft up sla…
Topping out on Brintons Direct
[Hide Photo] Topping out on Brintons Direct
Brinton's Direct.
[Hide Photo] Brinton's Direct.
Joe F polishing off Brinton's Direct. Recommended!
[Hide Photo] Joe F polishing off Brinton's Direct. Recommended!
Ryan "Jungle Dog" Strong stays on the straight and narrow of Brinton's Direct.
[Hide Photo] Ryan "Jungle Dog" Strong stays on the straight and narrow of Brinton's Direct.
The start of Brinton's Direct  is to the left of the dihedral in the center of the picture
[Hide Photo] The start of Brinton's Direct is to the left of the dihedral in the center of the picture
Better version of Jungle Dog on Brinton's Direct.
[Hide Photo] Better version of Jungle Dog on Brinton's Direct.

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

Steve Sangdahl
eldo sprngs, co
[Hide Comment] First Lead : Pete Cleveland Mar 23, 2003
[Hide Comment] We always used to start a few more feet to the left of that dihedral at the very thin crack. This start is not quite visible behind the belayer's boulder in the photo. These thin cracks go directly up to the hand crack below the alcove. Brinton's Direct also makes for a great aid climb. ABQ. Apr 23, 2003
Maikey Lopera
Eugene, OR
  5.8+
[Hide Comment] Pro up to the alcove is the same as for Brintons crack. After the alcove the crack is thin and there are a few good placements. Use small nuts (BD # 4-5) and alliens for this section. I found particularly useful a orange allien (1.5) and a blue allien(0.375). The blue allien protects te crux after the undercling and sidepull holds. For belay there is a good stance just before topping out. The belay can be set up on uppermost the horizontal crack after the ledge. crack takes cams and nuts up to 0.5in. Aug 3, 2004
Maikey Lopera
Eugene, OR
  5.8+
[Hide Comment] This is an excellent lead to spice up after climbing Brintons crack. Aug 3, 2004
Ryan Strong
Golden, CO
  5.9
[Hide Comment] Really enjoyed this route...was actually well protected. Classic D lake 5.8 Jun 19, 2011
Ryan Strong
Golden, CO
  5.9
[Hide Comment] Hey anonymous coward,
You said this route makes for a great aid lead. Well i tried it, aid solo, and did not see any way possible to make this route go. Right at the free climbing crux of the route, there was no possible way to place gear or hook for that matter. I was forced to hook right and exit Brinton's direct into the crack system for the regular route. I feel like i explored all options for continuing straight up, unless there is something i missed i don't think aiding this route is possible. Sep 14, 2011
Doug Hemken
Delta, CO
[Hide Comment] Ryan, most big aid routes include some mandatory free moves. Using the rock for hand/foot holds in addition to standing in your etriers is also common. Just because you are aid climbing does not mean you can leave your free climbing skills at home! Sep 15, 2011
Ryan Strong
Golden, CO
  5.9
[Hide Comment] Anonymous sand bagged me!! Thanks Doug, i will be doing a big aid route Saturday. West Face of Leaning Tower. Hopefully its easier than Brintons direct! :) Sep 15, 2011
Doug Hemken
Delta, CO
[Hide Comment] Take a hook for down low, a couple of big pieces for up high, and grab the rock! I think if you can aid this route, you have the gear skills for the West Face ... you just need to add in your Grade V focus. Sep 15, 2011
Isaac Therneau
Rochester, MN
[Hide Comment] Many of the pitches on the Nose have short sections of 5.6, 5.7 that are mandatory free or super ackward to aid i.e a flaring chimney. The difficulty comes in free climbing a 20ft 5.6 section in aid shoes and tons of gear. Sep 17, 2011
[Hide Comment] I thought this variation was much more enjoyable! Worth it to give it a go Jun 16, 2020