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Plumb Bob

5.11a, Sport, 60 ft (18 m),  Avg: 2.8 from 66 votes
FA: unknown
Arkansas > North-Central A… > Horseshoe Canyo… > E Side > Far East

Description

Striking arete that climbs through a low crux and a number of interesting moves that will eventually spit you out onto the face and into a beautiful splitter fist crack to the anchors.

Protection

All bolts (8), two bolt anchor with rap rings (11/2018)

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

Supersoul Sureshot on the left and Plum Bob on the right.
[Hide Photo] Supersoul Sureshot on the left and Plum Bob on the right.

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

Zane Winter
Kansas City, MO
  5.11a
[Hide Comment] This route is the perfect warmup if you are looking to get on Supersoul Sureshot. Less sustained than Purple Nehi so the threat of flash pump isn't as present, and it includes a V1 ish version of the middle crux on SS. Dec 18, 2018
Duncan Domingue
Nederland, CO (from Louisiana)
 
[Hide Comment] I love this route! I've climbed it several times, and always try to get more people to climb it. I love that you have the option to muscle through the route, or move further right of the arete and do easier moves but risk larger falls. May 28, 2019
Rob Riedinger
tulsa, oklahoma
 
[Hide Comment] This route is just bad. The face of the route is almost completely blank (way harder than 5.11 if you feel like going for it). The right of the route has ledges that are easy to get up, but could lead to a massive swinging fall. It is just a bad route in my opinion. Sep 4, 2019
Zane Winter
Kansas City, MO
  5.11a
[Hide Comment] Didn't feel harder than 11a on the left face, to me. Sep 5, 2019
Scott's Tots
Texas
 
[Hide Comment] Agree with Rob. Ended up on the right face of the arete, but just felt like a nasty swing was bound to happen. Jun 2, 2021
Rivet Daigre
 
[Hide Comment] I hate to do this but I'm gonna add my name to the list of haters; IMO this is just not a good climb. With so many classics surrounding this line on all sides, why climb this? There is loose rock all the way up (I broke a huge foothold directly off the arete that nearly decapitated my belayer), the face is doable but certainly harder than 5.11a and the other option to keep it 11a means sketchy mantles on chossy rock with bad and possibly dangerous falls. Avoid, and if you do choose to climb, both leader and belayer should have helmets on! Commodus is a stellar arete climb nearby, Purple Nehi is a fantastic easy to mid 11 just around the corner, Supersoul is right next door if you want to climb hard. Plumb Bob is just not worth it. May 1, 2023