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Lower Buttress


New Mexico : Los Alamos & White Rock : White Rock : The Overlook
Latitude: 35.8264  Longitude: -106.1803  Elevation: 6400 
Description
This is the lower wall/block on the South/East side of The Overlook. There are three bolted routes on this wall and some nice bouldering to the sides of the routes. Not to be confused with the area called the Underlook which is lower still and a short hike down from the main wall.

Getting There
Follow directions for accessing The Overlook and South/East side. The Lower Buttress is the obvious block down low below routes Cholla Wall, Holy Wall and Dave's Face.


Lower Buttress : The three routes on the Lower Buttress on the South/East side of The Overlook. Decent bouldering is found on either side of these routes. (1 = 5.8; 2 = 5.10-; 3 = 5.6)



(1) Sunny Side Up (a.k.a. Photo-op) 

5.8+

  
New Mexico : Los Alamos & White Rock : White Rock : The Overlook : Lower Buttress
FA: Unknown
Type: Sport, TR
Consensus: 5.8+
Length: 40 feet
Season: year round
Description
This is the left-most bolted route on the Lower Buttress. Thin moves passing the second bolt are the crux. Nice climbing above to the chains anchor.

Location
Left-most route on the lower buttress. Shown as route number 1 on the Lower Buttress route photo.

Protection
4 bolts to a bolted anchor. Anchor can be reached from atop the buttress to set TR or to clean it.


(1) Sunny Side Up (a.k.a. Photo-op) : Cody taking a lap on Sunny Side Up. October 2009.



(2) Scrambled (a.k.a. Unknown) 

5.10a

  
New Mexico : Los Alamos & White Rock : White Rock : The Overlook : Lower Buttress
FA: Unknown
Type: Sport
Consensus: 5.10a
Length: 40 feet
Season: year round
Description
The middle bolted route on the Lower Buttress. Face moves lead to the crux bulge moves at the top. Many a climber has fallen at the top moves and it's a clean fall.

Location
This is the middle route of three bolted routes on the Lower Buttress. Shown as route number 2 on the Lower Buttress route photo.

Protection
4 bolts to chains anchor.



(3) Over Easy (a.k.a. Unknown) 

5.6

  
New Mexico : Los Alamos & White Rock : White Rock : The Overlook : Lower Buttress
FA: Unknown
Type: Sport, TR
Consensus: 5.6
Length: 40 feet
Season: year round
Description
The right-most bolted route on the Lower Buttress. Slabby, low-angle face climbing to a steep move at the top. A very good beginner sport lead.

Location
The right-most bolted route on the Lower Buttress. Shown as route number 3 on the Lower Buttress route photo.

Protection
4 bolts to bolts for anchor at top. The anchor bolts are separated and not on an even plain so take a long runner for the high bolt and short runner for low bolt to equalize. Kinda funky. Anchors can be reached from the top to set TR.


(3) Over Easy (a.k.a. Unknown) : Holly on Over Easy



Lower Buttress Boulder 

V5

  
New Mexico : Los Alamos & White Rock : White Rock : The Overlook : Lower Buttress
FA: 
Type: Boulder
Consensus: V5
Length: 10 feet
Description
Sit start and fire up powerful and thin moves with precise feet on the slightly chalked up face. I still haven't sent so I can't tell you where the crux is.

Alternatively, sit start but use the arete on the left. Downgrades the route to about V1 (which could be good or bad depending on what your up for) but add a star for the cool heelhooking potential.

Location
Short overhanging boulder fifteen feet below and climber's left of the lower buttress.

Protection
pad or just sand works