Nice shot of the whole climb. Start off the block...
Description
Located on the right hand face of the upper east side of Steve Canyon. Start off a boulder to the right of the large central chimney system (Hoophartkz, 5.4).
From the boulder, reach out right to a horizontal and the left-arching crack system above (small cams). A direct start is possible (5.11c/d) but the complete lack of pro keeps people off. Above, gear in the horizontal protects moves up to steep friction past 2 bolts (crux). Higher, a third bolt protects a traverse right to the arete where a 4th and last bolt protects moves to the top.
As an alternative start, begin some 15-20 right and below the boulder up right slanting cracks to a ledge (5.10a/b). Belay here (to avoid rope drag) and traverse left to the upper bolted face. This is actually the way the first ascent went.
When this was first done in EB's, the smearing seemed way hard; modern rubber has taken the bite out of the difficulty.
By Chris Miller Administrator Jan 10, 2004 rating: 5.10d
A nice route that doesn't see much traffic. The face climbing isn't as difficult or sustained as apperances might suggest. Three stars out of five.
By Adam Stackhouse Administrator From: Escondido, Ca Jan 28, 2006 rating: 5.10d R
Not exactly super bomb pro for the crack leading to the face which precludes the cruxy area exiting the second horizontal.
By Andy Laakmann Site Landlord From: Jackson Hole, WY Apr 9, 2006 rating: 5.10c
A great crack and friction combo climb!
I did the left approach (stepping off the block). I slung the block for protection until I got my first piece in and then had someone unclip it.
The crack bit seemed around 5.9 to me, and the protection at the top of the crack was a little fiddly. The bolts protect the friction climbing well, and the crux is definitely a steep smearing bit between the 2nd and 3rd bolt.
Do the right hand start for more bang for the buck. Its not very hard and it gives you a really fun traverse to reach the left arching crack (hopping off the big boulder looked scary and it skips some good climbing). Make sure and take advantage of ALL gear opportunities high in the crack in order to adequately protect the section leading to the first horizontal. The crack pinches off quickly and you may find your self pretty runout like I did. Great face climbing leads up and right past bolts to a very cool arete and then the top.
Steve Canyon
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