Bishop Jaggers stands as one of The Dome’s purest expressions of traditional climbing, inviting climbers to engage directly with the rock’s character and history. Situated within Colorado’s Cathedral Spires area along South Platte, this 250-foot route weaves through four pitches that build both technical challenge and exposure. From the solid crack start on the first pitch to the heart-pounding traverse around the arch-roof on the second, Bishop Jaggers demands focus and commitment.

The climb begins at an obvious crack near the center of the face, where you’ll find straightforward 5.5 climbing with ample protection. This sets a solid foundation before you transition onto friction slabs that link you into Topographical Oceans’ bolt line. It’s here that you push into 5.9 terrain on pitch two, rounding a distinctive arch-roof that forces bold movement and precise footwork. The roof isn’t just a feature—it steers the climb’s energy, pushing you around the corner where the rock tests your nerves.

Continuing upward, the third pitch offers a choice of routes: cautiously right around an overlap or more boldly left with sustained difficulty. Both approaches require patience and technical skill, but reward climbers with an increasingly commanding perspective of the Cathedral Spires and the surrounding wilderness. The final pitch, featuring a ramp leading to a wide crack, rounds out the experience with moderate 5.8 moves that channel you toward lighter terrain and easy summit slabs.

Protection on Bishop Jaggers calls for an old-school approach; a light rack combined with vintage bolts demands attention to gear placements and anchor setups. This isn’t a climb to rush through or take lightly—one misstep near the arch or overlap can quickly turn into a serious incident. Descend by carefully downclimbing east side slabs, which require deliberate foot placements and respect for exposure.

For visitors, the setting enriches the endeavor—the crisp mountain air and the stretch of granite walls stretching skyward create a powerful ambiance. Each pitch reveals new textures in the rock: from the smoothed friction patches to the textured cracks that hum with ancient grip. Prepare for sudden weather shifts common to the Front Range, and wear solid shoes with sticky rubber to manage feet on both cracks and slabs.

In sum, Bishop Jaggers is more than a route; it’s a corridor of climbing history that demands skill, respect, and a healthy appetite for adventure. With careful planning and steady nerves, it’s a track that rewards those ready to meet it head-on.