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Conn Diagonal - 5.7 popular

Average Rating = 4.50/5 Average Rating : 4.50 out of 5
Route sequence (left to right): 1
Route Summary | Ascent Notes (13)
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Jan and Herb Conn
Rock (Trad)
3
Standard rack
300
Consensus Ratings
  Difficulty 5.7
  Safety Rating G
  Exposure 4.33/5
  Rock Quality 5.00/5
  Scenery 4.00/5
  Fun Factor 4.67/5

Description:

CONN DIAGONAL 5.8 on the backside of Outer Outlet. This three pitch classis is no doubt one of Jan and Herb Conns finest achievements. Park at the General Store and hike towards the dam. Through the tunnel turn left and head up hill to the brown Custer State Park Cabin Turn right and go downhill the base and around past Rhino Rock to the left side of the north face of Outer Outlet. P1: Standing on a small boulder start up this right angling route by climbing the huge flake system. Enjoy the exposed step across just past the rusty piton (protect with a finger sized cam) Climb approx. 130 feet to the first belay (bolts will allow you to rap to the ground if needed). P2: The grand traverse pitch is a wildly exposed section of climbing across an abyss. Protect with a standard rack up to a WC 3.5 cam (a 4 can be nice for the anchor). A fall here would be difficult to recover from, as it would be hard to get back up to good holds. Belay in the hallway at a gear anchor. P3: Several variations. The original route follows a jagged crack up and left to a chimney with a wicked fun contortionist entrance. Once the chimney is gained, the climbing is of the fun, but rather unprotected variety. Belay in the huge pothole at the top. V1: take the 5.8 inward flaring crack up and right to a nice stance on the face. Follow the face/arête up to the pot hole belay and don’t think about how far away your last piece of gear is. Be solid at the grade-there is gear on this one but you don't want to fall. You don't even want your second to fall off the traverse pitch.

Descent Options:

Rap off the opposite side on the anchors at the top of Jugs (Great Top Rope). Get to them by jumping across the chasm the original route ascended. One rope rap to the 1st ledge then find the second rap anchors behind you (away from the rock 25”) and dow

Submitted by: flatspin on 2006-12-02
Views: 2934
Route ID: 5679

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13 Ascents Recorded

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Ratings
  Difficulty 5.7
  Safety Rating G
  Exposure
  Rock Quality
  Scenery
  Fun Factor
Onsight Onsight ascent by: lucander on 2010-08-09 (View Climbing Log)

5 out of 5 stars Conn Diagonal

Route is 5.6 in my Piana book. At that grade, this is arguably the finest rock climb of its grade that I've done - and I'm from the Gunks, a place known for remarkable 5.6 climbing. This is undoubtedly a classic, and it would be hallowed if it were at a more frequently visited crag. Airy, exposed, committing...the essence of trad climbing.

Added: 2010-09-03

Ratings
  Difficulty 5.7
  Safety Rating G
Onsight Onsight ascent by: barkandbite on 2003-06-01 (View Climbing Log)

5 out of 5 stars na

w/ds

Added: 2009-02-07

Ratings
  Difficulty 5.7
  Safety Rating G
Onsight Onsight ascent by: csproul on 2007-07-24 (View Climbing Log)

4 out of 5 stars Must do Needles route

Very Fun Traverse. The Conn's were ahead of their time

Added: 2007-08-16

Ratings
  Difficulty
  Safety Rating G
Onsight Onsight ascent by: franzr on 1995-03-01 (View Climbing Log)

4 out of 5 stars No comment

No comment

Added: 2007-04-26

Ratings
  Difficulty
  Safety Rating G
  Exposure
  Rock Quality
  Scenery
  Fun Factor
Onsight Onsight ascent by: moose_droppings on 1977-09-11 (View Climbing Log)

4 out of 5 stars Airy

I've done this one most of the time taking the left chimney. Love the exposure on this one too.

Added: 2007-04-06

... Read all 13 ascent notes