Dubbed "The World's Shortest Highball", Atari Arete is one of the most aesthetic boulder problems on the east side of the Sierras (or anywhere) and offers an exciting finish. What starts off as a wide sloping bear-hug style arete, eventually becomes narrower and less secure. Most beta involves heel-hooking one side of the arete (generally the right side) as you squeeze the arete and pull off the ground. Keep your eye out for marginal foot smears as you pull off the ground and again higher up. There is no real defined crux, however reaching a critical thumb-pocket high and right allows you to adjust your feet and work your left hand up before eventualy throwing for the lip.
Location
Happy Boulders, Bishop: On the right side of the canyon on the trail to the Happy Boulders (visible from the trail)
Protection
There are multiple ledges that you can land on to the right of this climb. Ideally, you should have a pad on each of them and a couple spotters: one just at the base and one down below in case you pitch off the first ledge. Beware of the fall on this climb... legend has it John Sherman fell while lunging for the lip, taking his spotter out with him for the plunge into the talus below (which I assume was well padded). So pad up thoroughly!
East Rim Area
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