This is a seldom climbed route. The location is one of the best on the peak. Hike up to the north saddle from the east. The route is 10 minutes from there (and to the wonderful springs on Lyon's Ledge). Bob Kerry's description is pretty good to get you through the general line and find the belays. However there are MANY small route variants and you must make constant judgement to go either a little left or right to make the climbing safer or easier. Good route finding capabilities are a must. We climbed it 24 May 2009 and I doubt it had been climbed for many years. Much loose rock precariously balanced. There were a few jungle ledges with ancient dead branches that we busted through. If a few more parties were to send it, knock off the remaining loose rock and "garden" the jungles it would become a real stellar route. Other than the occasional loose rock the overall stone quality is very good. As you move toward the top it gets better and better.
Descent - Rap the Forbes route then head east around the north end of Babo. Two more short bolt anchor raps and a steep hike back to the north saddle to pick up the packs for the hike to the vehicle.
To do this car to car in a day would be a nice endurance feat. It's easier to hike in late the day before and bivy at the north saddle for an early morning start. You don't have to hike in much water since the spring is year round.
Location
North East corner
Protection
All clean. No lead or anchor bolts. Standard rack with double small to medium cams.
They weren't terribly long runouts. However the route is ledgy and there were a few spots you could hit them. And there are lots of angled traverses left and right, not good to take a whipper on those either. The pro I got in was real solid though, a few nuts, mostly cams. Bring a set of C3's.
RSS Feed
Slideshow
