Tom Lind nearing the top of Ridgeback. Photograph...
Description
This is a fun, mellow climb that rewards climbers with great views, good rock, and a mandatory rappel.
Separated from the main wall at Ridgeline, Ridgeback starts downhill and around the corner to the left from the other routes. The route ascends the right side of an arete to the top of a stand-alone pinnacle. Though well-bolted, you can supplement with nuts and cams, though the cracks tend to be slightly grainy higher on the route.
The shuts sit on a horizontal ledge on top, so plan to anchor in and belay your second to the top. Then rap back towards the main Ridgeline wall, on the opposite side of the actual route. Making sure everyone has their own rappel device speeds things up.
A top-rope setup might work with long, equalized slings, though I haven't tried this.
Protection
6-8 bolts, cold shuts on ledge above. You can bring some small/medium nuts to protect the easy runout to the first bolt, and small cammers to use throughout the route, though extra gear is not absolutely required. Plan to rap.
I like the route! But the rap is not mandatory. You can scramble off the backside.
By Scott Tucker From: Tucson, AZ May 9, 2006 rating: 5.5
Very fun easy route. Great views, good exposure. Pretty runout to the first bolt and there's a perfect crack for a medium cam. Falling from the first bolt would bounce you once after 30 feet then send you down the gully for about 6000 feet of pine trees and manzanita to San Manuel.
I really like this route, and honestly, it's worth the hike for this alone. Yes, for a bolted 5.5. The little summit is nice and the views are lovely, and the climbing is very mellow, enjoyable bucket-hauling. It's fun for beginners, but it would NOT be a good toprope- it's best to second your partner up and scramble down the notch (or rappel if that's your thang). I've heard you can place gear, but I didn't find it even close to necessary, personally.
Good beginner route and fun to climb. Place 1 or 2 cams before first bolt. The rest is well bolted. Belay from the summit. I had to rap clean it b/c my beginner got freaked out. Lot of friction when retrieving the rope but with some muscle it pulled down clean.
Ridgeline
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