Type: Trad, 300 ft (91 m), 3 pitches
FA: First pitch FA: Mike McEwan and Gary Axen, 1975. Complete ascent: Mike McEwen and Dave Baker, 1976
Page Views: 19,168 total · 89/month
Shared By: Brad Schierer on Jul 17, 2006 · Updates
Admins: adrian montaño, Greg Opland, Brian Boyd, JJ Schlick, Kemper Brightman, Luke Bertelsen

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Description Suggest change

The first pitch is the classic pitch and gets the stars. It is a classic layback crack in a left facing corner. Pumpy and steep for about 45 feet or so, then the angle lessens. Finish at a two bolt belay. There is a thank God rest just when you need it.

The second pitch is a full rope length up a grungy 5.7 crack. It's okay, but not up to the quality of the first pitch. A double rope rap from the top of pitch one will get you to the ground if you don't like the looks of pitch 2. The second pitch ends at tied off chickenheads for a belay (hope you brought your shoulder length slings).

The final pitch is best described as low-angle chickenhead hiking.

Descent: Rap by climbing onto the summit block/knob just to your right as you top out. Once on top, head down the ramp to a set of Metolius rap hangers. Make a single rope rap down the ramp/nose to a set of rap anchors (chains). A double rope rap from here will just get you down to the start of the climb. (-Randy Baum)

Addendum: I just wanted to add that this past weekend, I did the Pair-a-Grins variation to this route and it is without a doubt a better way to the top than the standard 2nd pitch. It's a little run-out between bolts (thought-provoking but not unsafe) and the exposure isn't for the faint of heart. All I took for this pitch was quickdraws.

Location Suggest change

This is at the far left (east) end of the Rockfellow Group as you come in from the east side approach. Look for a nice open book. See route description for descent.

Protection Suggest change

Finger size pieces (Metolius tri-cams) and a couple of red camalots for the first pitch. standard rack with a handful of shoulder length slings for the second pitch. In general, Stronghold climbers can never carry enough shoulder length slings (10 is a good number). As many have suggested in the comments, a 60m rope is good to have.

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