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Africa Flake 

5.5

   

FA: 
Type: Trad
Consensus: 5.6 [details]
Length: 1 pitch, 180 feet
Views: 426 page views

Submitted By: Chris Miller on Feb 22, 2006


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Starting up African Flake


Description 

Located just right of The Trough (5.5), and despite it's proximity to that route, the climbing is vastly different on rough, orange-colored crystalline rock that provides excellent friction.

While it's possible to cut right after the second bolt to belay bolts it's preferable to climb the route in one long pitch and belay at anchors atop the face. An easy descent exists down the left side of the face via slabs and then a trail.


Protection 

6 bolts, anchors



Add Photo Photos of Africa Flake
First pitch of Africa Flake in the late afternoon.<br /><br />photo by Lara Dvorzak

First pitch of Africa Flake in the late afternoon....

Mike Williams using a rope, for once.

Mike Williams using a rope, for once.


Add Comment Comments on Africa Flake
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By Jordan K
Oct 8, 2006

this is a bolted sport climb, not trad

By Bill Olszewski
From: San Diego, CA
Apr 30, 2007

This really isn't a sport climb. I think the confusion comes from regarding trad climbs only as those requiring removable gear. But bolts were around long before the term "sport climbing" which generally refers to well-bolted half-pitch routes (i.e. they can be top-roped with a single rope). Although Big Rock has some sport routes (see Let it Bleed and Cheap Thrills) most are closer to traditional slab. Stichter Quits in JTree is all of 150' or so, on 4 bolts. Hardly a sport climb. Africa Flake, although better protected, takes the full 60m passing 6 bolts. A true sport climb generally has a bolt every 6 to 10 feet. Obviously there is some gray area here, but most of these lines on Big Rock are too sparsely bolted to qualify as sport.

By Bill Olszewski
From: San Diego, CA
Apr 30, 2007

Great route, fun lead, best easy line to the top of BR, IMO.

By Gary Schenk
Mar 5, 2008
rating: 5.6

Quite exciting to get to that first bolt.

By Jon Leicht
From: Santee, CA
May 12, 2008
rating: 5.5

Best route in the grade area on the rock!

By Brian Hench
From: Laguna Beach
Jun 2, 2008
rating: 5.6

A way better route than the one to the left of it, The Trough.