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Dogma

5.11c, Trad, Sport, Grade V,  Avg: 3.6 from 38 votes
FA: Brian Mcray and Mike Lewis
Nevada > Southern Nevada > Red Rocks > (13) Mt Wilson > Horseshoe Wall
Warning Access Issue: Red Rock RAIN AND WET ROCK: The sandstone is fragile and is very easily damaged when wet. DetailsDrop down

Description

You have heard the name and seen the massive Horseshoe Wall. This might just be the most spectacular line on Mount Wilson in all of Red Rock. Huge shout out to the FA team of Mike Lewis and Flyn Brian for making this route a reality! Down below I will be describing the pitches of ONLY the main Upper Headwall, the old topo still exists if you want to climb the lower half too. 

Dogma can be described as taking the beautiful Black Velvet Wall and setting it 2500 feet off the Desert Floor, this route really shows the potential of Mount Wilson.

Harder than Levitation, and easier than Rainbow Wall

Upper Pitch Descriptions:

P1 (7): 5.11c/d, 110' - Start at the base of the huge wall to the left of a black water streak in a short corner, climb the steep corner for 50 feet or so and head left slightly to a brief rest, step right and blaze straight up and right the steep pumpy wall clipping well-spaced bolts through a thin crux to an anchor equipped with rap rings. Amazing pitch!

P2 (8): 5.11b, 100' - Start with a traverse that diagonals up and to the left, and continue up the sustained and steep wall to an anchor equipped with rap rings, this pitch earns the grade due to its sustained nature without much of a rest.

P3 (9): 5.10c, 100' - Continue up the beautiful wall on good holds, through the nice black varnish to an anchor equipped with rap rings.

P4 (10): 5.10c, 80' - Continue up the wall following bolts that eventually head right to a nice ledge with a new anchor (without rap rings, this avoids the old hanging belay another 20 feet up).

P5 (11): 5.11a, 130' - From the ledge belay head up and left through a short steep corner which then climbs past an anchor (with rap rings), climb the face above to a left-leaning crack, either climb the crack (harder) or the face to the right of the crack (easier), which leads to some thoughtful slab climbing with well-spaced bolts that leads to a massive pine tree with webbing and rap rings.

P6 (12): 5.11a, 110' - In reality, the crux is probably a bit stiff for 11a but it's so short that rating this pitch harder than 11a seems unreasonable. From the tree move the belay up and left along the ledge (there is no second anchor but the ledge is big), climb straight up and right through the boulder problem on the steep face until the grade eases off, and then climb the 5.8 face to an anchor on a ledge equipped with rap rings.

P7 (13/14): 5.8, 150' - Continue up the nice face past a first anchor to a second anchor. Note: the rock quality is better than it looks.

P8 (14/15): 5.8, 160' - Continue up the final face past an anchor through some bulges keeping an eye out for the next bolt(s) to stay on route, pull over the top of the wall, and take in the magnificent panorama. Congrats you climbed Dogma!

Rap the route with a 70m rope using the anchors every hundred feet or so that have rap rings.

Descent: Retrace your steps down the approach gullies. 

Protection

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

A layout of the major climbing routes on Mt. Wilson. Photo by George Bell
[Hide Photo] A layout of the major climbing routes on Mt. Wilson. Photo by George Bell
Perfect!
[Hide Photo] Perfect!
Half way through the "boulder problem" pitch.
[Hide Photo] Half way through the "boulder problem" pitch.
5.8 slab pitch before Sherwood. (p 6?) Honestly some of the coolest rock on the climb
[Hide Photo] 5.8 slab pitch before Sherwood. (p 6?) Honestly some of the coolest rock on the climb
This is the start of the route.
[Hide Photo] This is the start of the route.
The start of the crux pitch.
[Hide Photo] The start of the crux pitch.
Approach overview photo: 
<br>
The key is to park at the lawn mower blade, NOT first creek or South Oak Creek (it's between both of them on the right side of the road)
[Hide Photo] Approach overview photo: The key is to park at the lawn mower blade, NOT first creek or South Oak Creek (it's between both of them on the right side of the road)
Approach Info to get to Sherwood Forest.
[Hide Photo] Approach Info to get to Sherwood Forest.
The New Topo of the Upper Head-wall Of Dogma
<br>
that I wrote out a little while ago, I will include the approach info in the next picture I upload.
[Hide Photo] The New Topo of the Upper Head-wall Of Dogma that I wrote out a little while ago, I will include the approach info in the next picture I upload.
Scotty entering the final bit of pitch 6 (aka Pitch 12) this pitch starts off bouldery (5.11a) before reaching the beautiful mellow 5.8 face.
[Hide Photo] Scotty entering the final bit of pitch 6 (aka Pitch 12) this pitch starts off bouldery (5.11a) before reaching the beautiful mellow 5.8 face.
Scotty following up Dogma Pitch 3 (aka Pitch 9)
[Hide Photo] Scotty following up Dogma Pitch 3 (aka Pitch 9)

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

J. Thompson
denver, co
[Hide Comment] Don't you need a 70M rope to rap this???

Sep 27, 2005
J. Thompson
denver, co
[Hide Comment] That's funny; I was told by a prominant local that when they tried to rap with a single 60M they came up short on one of the raps..... Oct 18, 2005
[Hide Comment] "Dogma" offers some fantastic climbing on the east face of Mt. Wilson. While I wouldn't describe the route as being a true sport climb, I only placed a total of five pieces on the first eleven pitches so you won't need an extensive rack. I thought the best pitches were #3 and the crux pitch which begins off of the Sherwood Forest ledge. We didn't climb the final four pitches because there was a deep snowbank on the ledge at the base of pitch #12. We climbed the route with a 70 meter rope which enabled us to safely rappel the route. Mar 28, 2006
[Hide Comment] This is a spectacular route and well worth doing. The Red Rock Canyon guidebook recommends up to a #4 friend, which is unnecessary. A single set of cams up to a #1 camalot is more than enough. The upper pitches require almost no gear, but the route is a lot sportier than Levitation 29, and in my opinion, better. The first two headwall pitches from the last ledge can be linked with a 70 meter rope, giving the follower the opportunity to climb the last four pitches (5.11a, and three 5.8's) in one pitch. The descent can be tricky in the dark. Have fun. Feb 8, 2007
Mike Schmitt
  5.11+
[Hide Comment] This route is spectacular! However with a 60m rope, we came up short by a LOT (20+ feet) on two of the raps. And on several others, I had to hang from the knots at the end of the rope and reach way below my feet to clip the anchors.

A 70m rope should reach with room to spare, but I think the relatively straightforward First Creek Canyon walkdown descent (which I have done a couple of times) is a much better option than hours of rappelling. Apr 30, 2007
jhump
  5.11c
[Hide Comment] Great route! On 3/17/09, we climbed free to the final ledge before running into a snow bank guarding the upper pitches. The last 2 pitches before the ledge had been very wet. We called it a day and started rapping. Bring a single 70 meter for safe raps.

My rack:
14 quickdraws (4 of these tripled up 24" runners)
5 medium stoppers (maybe BD size 4-8)
#0 (purple) tcu
#1 (blue) Mastercam
Yellow, Red, Gold: Aliens
Red Camalot

Pitch 4 is exciting with an opening thin section followed by a great crack and ending with a crazy chimney to a sandy face. The crux is one of the best pitches I have done at the grade. The face above is continually engaging on amazing rock. The entire headwall is perfectly bolted- expect a little space between the shiny silver bolts.

Try to be at the White Riot Gully at first light on the approach- for us this was 6am. It is tricky and a little light is important.

The giant black water streak does not come into play. There are a few tiny water streaks just left of the big one. If these are shiny when viewed in the sun from below, then the last 2 headwall pitches will probably be wet and there will be snow on the ledge possibly barring passage. Give it a few weeks. Good luck. Mar 24, 2009
[Hide Comment] did Pink Tornado to Dogma last weekend--stellar routes. Would recommend descending by 1st Creek Canyon rather than rapping the route/descending back down via Willy's Coulair, which took us about 4 hrs. It's much faster descending via 1st Creek Canyon. Oct 20, 2009
Tim Wolfe
Salt Lake City, UT
  5.11c
[Hide Comment] We did the Pink Tornado to Sherwood Forest, then the upper pitches of Dogma and rappelled with two ropes. I would skip pink tornado and do the direct start next time. If the descent is faster down First Creek that would be much better than the endless rappel and hike out from the base. The crux pitch off the Sherwood forest ledge is absolutely stunning climbing and the upper pitches are classic Red Rocks thin edging - well worth the effort but this is a huge day car to car.
Climbing the crux 5.11c pitch off of Sherwood forest ledge


Entering the crux moves


A few ptiches up the Dogma headwall in the sustained fun edging pitches


A look up at the headwall with the route line drawn in 9from Sherwood forest ledge.)
Jan 20, 2010
smassey
CO
[Hide Comment] If anyone heads up to do this route, or rap down it, be prepared to leave a lot of tat(a few lengths of chain would be nice for one anchor). Most of the stations below Sherwood Forest are totally rotting or almost there. If someone is public service oriented, about 50' of static line would do it. Also, if anyone ever decides to replace the rusting bolts on this, please use stainless, since many of the lower bolts lie in runoff areas. 04/29/10
RE: Conditions. Until it snowed on us, the lower pitches appeared to be dry. The waterstreak on the first headwall pitch was dry, but the upper waterstreaks looked wet still from Sherwood Forest. Apr 29, 2010
steve edwards
SLC, UT
 
[Hide Comment] Here's a pretty detailed trip report and photo essay on the climb.

steve-edwards.blogspot.com/… May 18, 2010
Luke Stefurak
Seattle, WA
[Hide Comment] I added new quicklinks and chains to most of the anchors in the first 10 pitches. I ran out of rope so two anchors still could be upgraded. Another 50+' of rope would be great. 30-40' for the rap station at the #4 on the topo(this needs to be extra long otherwise you won't make it to the next station) and ~20' for the station at #2. Thanks to John Wilder and ASCA for providing quicklinks & rings. Mar 10, 2011
[Hide Comment] Thanks, Luke. Too bad about the bolts already starting to rust...guess the fast-food nature of establishing this "free climb" as well as others in Red Rock top-down doesn't lend itself all that well to using the best hardware. Through water streaks, no less. Classy. May 9, 2011
Cindy
Lafayette, CO
[Hide Comment] Anyone know if a via ferrata or other fixed gear has been added to the catwalk mentioned in the topo approach description? Sep 17, 2015
Mike Lewis
Superior, CO
[Hide Comment] I'm glad you all are digging the route. I'm sorry to hear about the rusting hardware - Brian and I both put in what we had at the time - Brian had a garage full of random stuff and who knows what - he was a craftsman at heart! Unfortunately, Flyin' Brian is no longer with us. He was an amazing person! I live elsewhere now too and financially support my local re-bolters as well as in other areas. Thanks for making the necessary updates! Here are a few stories to go along with the route...

Brian and I first saw the line when climbing Resolution Arete together with a couple Argentine friends. Pretty soon after, we opened the route. After climbing, we simul-rapped the entire route in 30 minutes. I've never seen someone move as fast as Brian did. In all the rappels, I could not get my gri-gri on the rope and do the transition faster then him one time!

Enjoy! Nov 1, 2016
Big DogBurlyDiesel
COLORADO
 
[Hide Comment] To make a long story short my partner and I got on the wrong route thinking the chimney to the left of the start of the "Pink Tornado" was the first pitch of "Dogma". I'll have to dumb it down to the universe playing a sick April Fools joke on us.

I'm posting this to give clarity to future parties on the approach. We had to continue up Willy's Colouir much farther than we first had thought. Walk past the obvious chimney system on the left hand side of the large 200' triangle tower feature. One will have to continue up past large chockstones and ascend a couple ramp like features that are on the Horseshoe wall, the right side of the colouir if going up. There is one ramp feature that feels somewhat committing to climb and has a single bolt with quick link. After you have passed this single bolt keep ascending the colouir and eventually you will encounter the large chimney feature that is the first pitch of "Dogma"(pictured).

Besides wasting time getting on the wrong route we were able to salvage the day and got up to Sherwood Forest in time to both lead the crux pitch and rappel down. The 11a finger crack/ OW/ slab pitch was fantastic and one of the most fun pitches of climbing I have done in RR. It was so varied it kept me on my toes! The crux pitch is steep and is reminiscent of the climbing on the Black Velvet Wall. We sent the crux in full sport wanker style and I was glad to have my partner put the draws up for me. On 4/1/17 it was surprisingly chilly belaying on the Sherwood Forest ledge. I recommend bringing some sort of light approach shoe because of the amount of cactus, scrambling, and rappelling; it will save your feet. Can't wait to get back and summit this route and get a taste of the rest of the head wall pitches. Have fun, be safe! Apr 3, 2017
Harrison Schutt
Missoula, MT
 
[Hide Comment] Just climbed this route the other day with a buddy with the goal of climbing the route in a day in whatever style. Had an epic day from 3 am to 8:30 pm car to car. The route as a whole was incredible with varied climbing. We pulled on draws quite a few times which led to around 11 hours of climbing base to summit. A couple of notes I feel are worth sharing:

-Just before you get to the base of the route, there is a 30 foot ramp with a bolt and a quicklink at the top. I chose to lead this placing two pieces of gear, then belayed at the quick link. Honestly it felt like 5.7 at the time in the dark (sandy slab) and am glad I did not go up in tennis shoes and the backpack.
-All of the easier pitches before the Sherwood forest are incredibly runout. Easy, but runout.
-Getting onto the slab on pitch two (5.9) felt like mid 5.10 at least.
-The 5.11 chimney pitch is heinous with a backpack (even tagging it)
-All but one of the upper pitches have hanging belays
-All of the upper pitches (especially the 5.8s) are runout between bolts, and only some take gear. If you've made it this far though, you'll be fine.
-First creek canyon descent took around 3.5 hours going very slowly

Enjoy! Mar 31, 2019
[Hide Comment] There is new beta for the upper pitches of Dogma that eliminates most of the hanging belays making the route much more enjoyable while cutting down pitch count and having belays on comfy ledges.

Ideal rack for pitch 7 through 13: 14-15 draws/alpines with single .4, .5, #5 and #6 nut or equivalent.

Pitch 7: same beta
8: same beta
9: climb past the rappel anchor and belay on ledge. 14 draws and 1 finger piece. 160 feet 5.10
10: climb past rappel anchor to big tree and ledge.13 draws 140 feet 5.11
11: 10 draws, 2 pieces of gear. Belay on small bushy ledge 115 feet 5.11
12: climb past rappel anchor and belay on ledge. 9 draws 130 feet. 5.8
13. Climb past rappel anchor to summit anchor. 9 draws 180 feet. 5.8

  • **Mandatory 70m rope to rappel without shenanigans***

Double 60s would get you down to Sherwood in 5 rappels (skipping the intermediate anchors every 100ish feet). Dec 2, 2020
Taylor Fahey
Blue Diamond, NV
[Hide Comment] As of 3/14 the rappel anchors on the lower pitches of dogma are in very rough shape. Come prepared with fresh cord. Mar 14, 2022
Joey Latina
Las Vegas, NV
  5.11+
[Hide Comment] The Upper Headwall is the best line on Mount Wilson (approach/hike into Sherwood, if you know how) don't involve yourself in Willy's Couloir; that's heinous.

As for the pitches
P7 did not seem unreasonable for 11c, I could see it being rated 11d but I think 11c is fair to sandbag your friends, plus if you're leading this route I'd hope you'd onsight it.
P8 seemed closer to 11b (either that or I climbed a little off route)
P9 and 10 were just about 10c
Pitch 11 seemed fair for 11a
Pitch 12 also seemed fair for 11a (it's really just a muscly boulder problem into 5.8 face climbing)
Pitch 13-15 are rad cruiser 5.8- face climbing!

Good day 9.5 hours Car2Car. Descent from Sherwood after rapping the route took like 1hr45min

Gear Beta: as far as gear goes all you need is some draws, I placed a 0.3 twice on the whole route but both spots were unnecessary. Apr 25, 2022
Joey Latina
Las Vegas, NV
  5.11+
[Hide Comment] Hey everyone, updating the webbing on the tree anchor would be appreciated! Apr 26, 2022
sean w
Seattle, WA
  5.11d
[Hide Comment] The beta from Joey Louis to approach to Sherwood by scrambling is really, really solid. We followed that instead of climbing one of the routes below to trim down the rack + see if it was faster. The whole scramble is primarily 3rd class with a few short steps of 4th class. The only harder sections each had handlines in place. The path itself is cairned pretty well too.

If you choose do this, you're basically approaching as for the route "Lady Wilson's Cleavage", except continuing up and climber's right instead of cutting climber's left to that route. You're aiming for a ledge that is down and right of an obvious "arch" feature on the face above. This ledge wraps around the arete, allowing you to very easily down climb (3rd/4th class, not exposed) climber's right from there to Sherwood. It seems improbable, but it all goes!

It took us 2 hours 45 minutes from the highway to reach Sherwood, with a bathroom break + one or two route-finding errors. If you were dialed + familiar with the area, you could definitely go highway-to-Sherwood in about 2 hours.

I don't have much of value to add about the climbing -- it's all really fantastic. Some of the easier sections/pitches can get a little runout, but most of the hardest climbing is bolted pretty well. We brought 14-15 draws and BD 0.3-0.5, as well as 2-3 small nuts. I think we placed everything at least once.

To descend, we rapped back to Sherwood and then reversed the Joey Louis approach beta. If we were familiar with Lower Dogma / any of the other routes up to Sherwood, it may have been faster to continue down by rapping one of those. Reversing the scramble was straightforward but still pretty time consuming. I haven't walked off Wilson via Oak Creek / First Creek, so I can't offer a comparison to either of those.

Also - I posted this in the Vegas Climbers Facebook page, but if you lost a Sportiva TX2 Evo (left foot, size 9) on this route I have it and I'll be in the area until 3/23/24. Mar 13, 2024
Taylor Fahey
Blue Diamond, NV
[Hide Comment] While the Sherwood approach is cool and the upper pitches are highest quality, you're missing a lot of fun and not truly climbing Dogma when skipping the bottom pitches. P3 is just as fun and challenging as the crux pitch off sherwood
All anchors have been cleaned up and equipped with fresh cord, no more excuses folks! Apr 22, 2024