Frogland, Whiskey Peak 5.8

Red Rocks, Nevada USA

Currently 5.0/5

Avg time to climb route: 3-4 hours

Approach time: 30 minutes

Descent time: 1 hour

Number of pitches: 6

Height of route: 700'

Overview

Long, sustained, and deservedly popular, Frogland is one of the best of the moderate climbs in an area renowned for awesome moderates. Varied climbing, a bit of routefinding, and with a slightly runout slab crux, Frogland is a definite challenge for the 5.8 leader. As with other Red Rocks classics, the biggest obstacle is usually the crowds. Luckily, there are some great nearby routes that have long been overlooked, and one of them, an old, long-forgotten Urioste route, which has just been rebolted, is one of the best 5.7 face climbs around.

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Climber Beta on Frogland

A total of (34) submissions of route beta on Frogland

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History

In May of 1978, the spring at the mouth of Black Velvet Canyon was the source of a persistent pond. The pond itself was home to a noisy contingent of frogs. Back in the Gunks, which was the area that George and Joanne came from, there was an entire set of climbs with “land” names: Birdland, Roseland, Disneyland. Joanne connected the Gunks naming convention to the local croakers, and the route became Frogland.

Though the Uriostes were no strangers to hammer work in general, and bolting in particular, a minor landmark was passed on Frogland’s third pitch. Leading to the left and crossing the main dihedral, Joanne stepped onto a small ledge and drilled the first bolt of her life. In the light of the prodigious quantities of protection bolts they were about to place in the next few years, one might wonder if the moment held any special meaning. “No serious significance,” said Joanne. “Only the lactic acid in my forearm.”
– Larry DeAngelo

Strategy

Frogland gets early morning sun and early morning crowds, but in colder weather the sun soon departs the wall and the climb is frigidly cold. Quicker parties who are up at daybreak can have the route to themselves when... [full history for SuperTopo members only!]

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Approach

Descent

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