Alex Shainman nearing the end of the crux runout l...
Description
Here it is, one the "8 routes to test your mettle"(did you read the article?). I did this route the other day as a ground up, onsight ascent; not to be confused as a headpoint...Quite a wild ride, luckily thats just a pun.
P1: (5.9+ X) This is the first pitch of Saint Augustine, which is located between The Italian Arete and upper Grand Giraffe, off of the Upper Ramp. Loose! Set up a belay on the pedestal.
P2: (5.11d R+) This is the first half of St Augustine's second pitch, but we exit over the obvious roof just before SA's short crux out right. This is a traversing pitch up and right through lichenous huecos and at first, no pro. Aim for the roof depositing as much pro as you can. Protection is possible over the roof but with some effort...
The crux is turning the roof to a semi-rest and then making two or three insecure moves up and left on a series of questionable? flakes. [This is the left variation] Keep in mind you are relying on the lone piece of pro above the roof that isn't total junk but its not exactly bomber either...Its not over yet! After a couple 5.10 moves on dubious flakes you finally have another chance for protection, in a hollow sounding flake. Five-Nine climbing toward a fixed nut ends the scare factor. Finish the pitch on easier rock to the ledge. A 190' pitch!
Protection
Set of nuts, cams from .4"-3" (I recommend bringing 3 Green Aliens for crux pitch due to their stability in shallow placements), long runners, maybe double ropes for gear stability.
Add CommentComments on Much Slater (left variation)
...After speaking with one of the first ascensionists it was acknowledged that the original free line of Much Slater went over the roof, immediately moved up and right (at a sort of "Y") to an angle piton driven down behind a flake, hence there are two variations to this crux pitch (as per the above route description, this left version is much more sustained and run-out). Not knowing anything about the route, I thought I was going the proper way. Its not for certain if anyone had done this left variation prior to my ascent. For historical significance, the route was originally attempted free by Jim Erickson 30 years ago, which resulted in the Saint Augustine traverse under the roof. -AS
This morning, I saw someone take a 30-40 foot fall from above the roof on this climb, and then bail off right towards upper Grand Giraffe. I hope everyone's OK.
That was Eric J on, and off, Much Slater yesterday. A Left handhold broke part way up the runout Left option of the headwall, he fell, and a green alien placement above the roof ripped.Probably a 40 foot fall...but clean and all is well. (Easy for me to say since I was belaying.) The 3 or 3.5 friend placement under and to the R of the roof held the fall. We finished on Saint Augustine which is cool.
Redgarden - Tower One
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