Glowing In The Distance 

"Glowing in the Distance" is arguably the most eloquent climb on the Ridgeline. It would probably receive a four star rating if it were just another 20 - 30 feet long. The route presents several individual "problem areas" forcing the climber to concentrate almost all the way up; and it seems that there are almost always several different handhold/ foothold combinations that can be used to surmount each cruxy zone. This built-in variation keeps the route from becoming a bore even after you have repeated it many times.

I found the trickiest section to rate somewhat lower than most of the climbers I've talked to regarding the degree of difficulty here -- almost all of them place it at 5.9- or even 5.9b -- so maybe I was lucky in finding a felicitous combination of high-stepping, and sideclings on my first ascent? Anyway, it did not quite seem a nine.

One warning: this portion of the Ridgeline face receives the direct sun in the mid morning, early afternoon, and that wash of light can "flatten" the area of the route, making recognition of the "proper" handholds difficult. As three or four of the positions on this route require a dependence on upper body strength, a delay in finding the next series of holds may put the climber in some jeopardy -- perhaps this is where the 5.9 ratings come in?

The view from the top, back over your right shoulder is fantastic!!!