East Virgin Islands

BETA PHOTO: East Virgin Islands - Desert Island South Face. T...

Description 

The Virgin Islands East are for adventurous souls undeterred by a half-hour hike across the desert. In return, you're rewarded with solitude and fabulous views of the northern reaches of Pleasant Valley. They are composed of a scattering of domes and large boulders nestled at the foot of the Hexie Mountains a mile or so east of the Virgin Islands. Due to remoteness, this area hasn't been developed as fully as other more accessible sites in the Park. Nonetheless, there are a number of fine lines worthy of the walk.

Crack-masters (and mistresses) will love Castaway (5.11c) a splitter 30' fingers to chimney roof crack on the underside of a boulder. Those with big guns and small fingers will enjoy Buried Treasure (5.11b), Carribean Cruise (5.11c) and The Marathon Crack (5.12a) a group of finger-wrecking test-pieces. Multi-disciplinary honemasters will get a thrill out of Don't Ask, Don't Tell (5.11b R) which mixes a marginally protected 5.9 crack start with an improbable sport-bolted vertical 5.11 face. More moderate routes abound, many still awaiting the effort of a first ascent.

Getting There 

Drive down the Geology Tour road to the first tour stop pullout on the right after passing the Virgin Islands. Hike straight east across the desert. Keep walking until you get there. It is useful to back-sight during the approach to relocate your car on the retreat - otherwise you might wind up a half-mile down the hill when you reach the Geology Tour road. A slightly longer alternative is to park for the Virgin Islands, walk through the middle of the domes to their eastern edge, then head southeast to the Virgin Islands East.

The Classics

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BETA PHOTO: East Virgin Islands from the north. Hone Dome is ...

Alan Nelson on the first ascent of Memorial Meowze...