Unknown climber on the 10d finger crack of South b...
Description
The climb shares the first two pitches (5.6, 5.4) with Regular Route. P3: Then instead going right on the Main Ledge, continue straight up a shallow corner, pass some pins (5.9), pass a bulge (10d) to a baley before right facing corner. P4. Climb straight up the corner to a roof, traverse under the roof, and over to a stance (11a), then a bit higher to a good stance (5.8). P5: a 5.9 pitch leads to the top. There is also a 10a variation if you break left at the very top. Enjoy the view of the valley and el cap! (nota bene: the 11 pitch is more like the 'old school' 10. So this may be a good climb to break into the grade.)
By Nathan Furman From: Salt Lake City, Utah Oct 21, 2007
This is a wonderful climb! The .10d section is a bouldery little move that took me a while to figure out where to get my feet. We linked the .10d pitch and the .11a pitch. Super awesome views of people on the Northeast Face of Higher Cathedral.
I guess this is more like 5.10.(edit:5.10c. 10 b would be a sandbag.) Compared to Moratorium or the 5.11 pitches in the Nose the crux-pitch is pretty easy. Fun climb though, and awesome view of El Cap on the summit , take your camera.
Suggested rack: Doubles from .3" - 3" extra: maybe another #2 and #3 Camalot/friend if you want to place a ton of pro. Blue TCUs/green aliens helpful for the 10d section.
1 - 70 m rope is suggested for the rap route, I think (don't hold me to this since I didn't do it) you can take 1 - 60m also, but you have to do three raps down the gulley below the ledge.
I live in the valley, and it seems to me that this route is 10d/ sofffft 11a. Don't go up there thinking its going to be 10a/b.
I linked the 10d/11a pitch, I highly recommend doing that with mucho runners under the roofs.
By Kat A From: Bart and Lisa Ville, CO Jun 5, 2009
We rapped with one 70 m rope. I agree this is quite soft for 11a in the Valley. Many who have done this found the bouldery thin crack a bit more challenging than the enduro hand crack pitch. Great views at the top!
By Mike Morley Administrator From: Oakland, CA Jun 7, 2009
We wrapped with one rope but I think it is better to have two allowing you to skip the hanging rappel station. This station appears to be bomber and safe (good newish looking bolts) but I just found it scary watching the ends of my rope flapping in the breeze (below the rap station) especially since there is pretty good exposure there.
Great views from the summit. Makes you realize you are in Yosemite.
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