Batline Dome, 5.6-5.11

Overview/Approach

Batline Dome is a relatively quiet climbing destination with a minimal approach on the east side, with most of the climbing located on its southeast face.  Dikohe, 5.8+****, and Caped Crusader, 5.10*, are two decent mixed routes on the dome.  Outside of these two, most of the climbing is subpar by Cochise standards.  Batline is in close proximity to the lone tower on the east side, Owl Rock, which features both 5.9 and 5.12 classic single pitch routes.  It makes sense to combine Batline Dome climbs with Owl Rock and Zappa Dome cragging which is up the hill from Owl Rock.  These three destinations form a triangle and due to their short approach, are good targets for suspect weather or rest days.

Take the first right after the last cattle guard (just before the interpretative sign pull off on the right).  Drive up to the end of the road.  Most years you will need a high clearance vehicle to do this.  Once every few years they grade out the rough parts.  Park just below the dome's east face.  The hike up to the south wall or to the Caped Crusader which is located on the northeast wall, is short.

Routes Listed Left to Right on the Southeast Face

Dikohe- 165’-5.8+****/ Located on the left of two south facing aspects of Batline Dome, this is one of the better single pitch 5.8’s I have led in Cochise.  It is tall, offers crack and face climbing and stays relatively sustained at the grade. Look for the short right facing corner that forms a short chimney at its top.  Climb the crack until it gets wide, then climb the left wall and traverse back right and up for a short distance.  Traverse up and left, away from the seam/crack and through two bolts on steep face.  Belay at a rap anchor above.  Rap with two ropes. Single rack to #3.  Set of wires and/or off-set cams.  Shoulder length slings to extend your placements, the route wanders a bit.  Dow

Batmobile- 5.11/

Bat Masterson- 5.9R/

Batman- 5.9PG/

Bat Girl- 5.9PG/

Batline- 140’-5.9/ The local guide has this route divided up into two pitches, but that is not necessary.  Follow a ramp, right to left, to the left of the first two bolts to Cat Woman.  Near the top, it cuts back right through a bolt and then straightens out, slightly trending up and left through a fixed rap to a large ledge fixed rap above.  A 70m just raps the route direct.  You can TR it for the 2^nd by being lowered and then weighting the rope as your belay tactic until you hit the ground.  The 2^nd can just rap direct once both sides of the rope are straightened.  Single to #2.  Route receives full sun.  Dow

Cat Woman- 75’-5.11a/ The local guide has this pitch as 5.10+ and MP.com has it at 5.11-.  The crux is short but stout through the 2^nd of two bolts traversing rightward off the deck.  Do a reverse side pull and stem out wide with your right foot to a vertical edge.  Hold the stem whilst you replace hands in a pocket and do some delicate sequencing to a squat allowing you to dyno to a rounded flake with your right hand.  Hit it deep, then move up quick to more positive ground.  Essentially a bit of a bouldering move.  The rest of the route is well below grade.  Route receives full sun.  Dow

Guano- 5.6/

Northeast Face

Caped Crusader- 190’-5.10*/ This route is not in the local guide as of 2023.  It is the only shaded Batline Dome route published (MP.com) as of 2023.  Head down into the major drainage below the northeast face of Batline Dome.  Head up the drainage for a short amount, almost to the trail on the other side that leads to Owl Rock.  Bushwhack up the hill on your left to the base of a weakness that leads to bolts.  The stemming through pocketed gear in the weakness is the first crux at the grade.  You hit a small ledge with five bolts (not four as published on MP.com) above on delicate slab that lead to an anchor.  The start of this section is another several meter slab crux.  Pass the station and continue on low angled ground to a slung tree.  Rap the route with two raps of a single 60m rope.  Single from micro to #2 + wires.  Route receives shade from mid-morning on.  Dow