For the moment, access to this area by climbers should be from a temporary trailhead/parking area that is located near the old Morrell's Wall Parking Lot area. From there, the new Tom's Thumb Trail leads up toward Morrells Wall, Gardeners Wall and on to Tom's Thumb. Please look for, and use designated climber access trails.
An interesting line with some 'interesting' rock, but pretty good overall. The climb has a little of everything and is enjoyable if you don't let a few loose sections bother you. It is safe overall. Down and right about 5 meters from Treiber's Deception, the trade route of this rock, there are a pair of left-leaning cracks that merge 8 meters up the rock. The thinner one of the two on the left is the beginning of Hot Line. Climb up this to the merge and continue up and left to the terminus of the crack, then climb up into a weird pod and then crank a few meters hard right to a hanging flake and get established in another crack (crux). Protect this and make awkward moves to finish on the final slab above. Belay up top and then rap to the west. We did this on a single 70M rope, but it was close.
Location
This route is on the lower part of the East face of Tom's Thumb, just left of a large left-facing dihedral ('Look But Don't Touch', 10b) and right of Treibler's Deception.
Protection
A standard rack with cams to fist-sized (3.5"). This route meanders a bit and longer slings are good.
Phew.. more like "Hardline" than Hotline. hmmmm.... 10 plus. Strenuous from the get go..all the way up. Awkward in sections...with polished tiny feet. Hangdog lead. Save two BD golds and blues for the upper handcrack. Not many rests. Classic.
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