This excellent full-pitch route follows the left side of a huge slab, and ends on Fingertrip. To begin, undercling up and left under a roof, until you reach the outside edge of the slab. Continue liebacking up, with some long runouts, until you reach the top of the slab, and a comfortable belay at a tree.
The first pitch of this climb starts directly to the left of Fingertrip, in the big left-slanting orange dihedral.
The first pitch, in my opinion, is of better quality as its classic neighbor to the right. The climb involves sustained and somewhat runout laybacking. It is both physically and mentally draining. Half way up the climb there is a huge ledge where you can catch your breath after the first runout crux section. From here, you can contemplate the next section of laybacking. In fact, the runouts on this climb are what make it so memorable: fifteen feet of sustained, hard, burly laybacking to great rests.
Next time Fingertrip is packed, jump on this alternative start. It will probably be free even when theres a line at the base of Fingertrip. You'll be super psyched through the whole thing...
West Face - Right Side
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