Goosehead

SQII lists a bolted 5.7 on the Phallus. I was down there today and I am pretty sure I was at the Phallus because I saw two routes that looked like 11's and shared the same start on the side facing the highway, but the slabby ridge where I thought the 7 was didn't seem to have any trace of a route on it. Is there a misprint or was it chopped... maybe it is on one of the other formations??? I didn't really see places for gear on that ridge.

Had the same experience there several year's ago. Could not locate any moderate on the "Phallus."

All right ! Masters of the obscure.

If you are looking at MUSTANG RANCH on the PHALLUS, go down to the toe of the formation, then continue on around a bit to the SE side. There is a crack system leading up to the ridge. The start is fairly strenuous (5.9 ?) jamming up these cracks to gain the ridge. Then you basically solo the ridge (one nut I think) to gain the summit. I don't remember any bolts at all. A justly obscure route and not a place to take your beginner friends.

does anybody know about the line that goes through the roof? I've heard there is an old aid route there...

Last and only time I checked a bolt ladder of old quarter-inchers was still there. IIRC they sort of ran out before the actual top-out, or maybe I just couldn't see the last ones. Just getting to the ladder seemed like a slightly dicey traverse too? I'll check if the Steiger guide has anything on it..

You can see them as you drive by if you look closely enough (not recommended for the driver hehe)

Steiger guide says roughly: "The Bill" - 5.6 A1-A4 (depending on whether the old bolts shear off). Bolt ladder then some easy free climbing. A couple of aid moves to get to the ledge where the bolt ladder starts.

Thanks, sounds like a lot of fun or a bad day...