Unknown 10c 

Tried to on-sight this on Sunday- both my partner and I got spanked. We both generally make very short work of 5.10. It's thin, sharp, and tricky. The holds are hard to see and harder to stick to. Granted, we were both tierd...Still, the moves seemed awful hard for 5.10c... I honestly believe that this route is much harder. It reminds me of "The Unlead" except that it's harder than that too. 5.11??? Or maybe I was just having a bad day?

That said, there was one hold up and right above the first bolt that was obviously broken in the not too distant past. Maybe that used to be a bigger hold?

Good, different, thin.

I don't think any 5.10c-limit climbers will flash this in my lifetime.

This is definitely a height dependent one. Shorter climbers find it harder. Taller climbers find it easier. 5'10" with +2 ape makes it feels 10c. My ole buddy Steve 5'7" found it quite challenging. Flexibility can help. Balance is important.

I'm 5'10" with a +6 ape index, and I've been doing a lot of 5.11s lately. I'd love to get the beta on how to make this feel like 5.10c. Are you sure there isn't a broken hold at the second bolt?

Tony, are you sure you weren't on "Toys for Tots (11a/b)", which is also left of Mr. Natural and has 2 bolts?? According to Rossiter, "Unknown 10c" has 2 bolts and then a piton. I have climbed one of these routes but it was a long time ago, all I can remember is it is hard to find an anchor at the end of the pitch ...

Verified. I was on the 2 bolts one pin, complete match to topo on text. Saw Toys for tots over to the side. Leading theory is a broken hold by to the right of the second bolt. Second leading thoery is I just couldn't figure this one out and got spanked. Either is possible, as there is evidence to support both a broken hold or that I am a goof ball.-T.

I agree with Tony on this one. In its current state (actually I climbed it about a year ago), I think this climb is more like 5.11a/b(?). It is a short boulder problem pitch, but it is sharp and quite difficult, I think. Even the first clip is pretty exciting.

Bill

Balancy, intricate, thin, difficult crux makes this a must do little short route that has basically toprope protection for leading the hard moves. There is an optional 1/2 size Friend placement between the second bolt and the pin.

I think this is solid 5.10d. Seems to be a little to hard for 10c when compared with numerous other cruxes of that grade.

I'm a newbie climber (climbing less than one year) and I've followed 10b/c before (on the Plotinus Wall), but I found this route to be nearly impossible to follow. I could get my feet up to the small ledge below the first bolt but as soon as I stood up straight I would come right off. If you're like me and you haven't been exposed to climbs which require excellent balance then you'll probably get as far as I did. I did, however, have fun trying to make the moves.

- Dave

We did this route today and found it very interesting; I'd call it 10c/d or so. I found clipping the first bolt to be the trickiest spot, just because of the potential of falling on to the trail! Once clipped, we climbed it two different ways. Slightly to the right of the bolt is a good handhold and thin feet, slightly to the left of the bolt is good feet and thin hands. The left method is very balancy, the right more stenuous, but they felt about the same difficulty. The lack of chalk on this route really forced us to search out little key holds. A small Alien fits in the horizontal crack between the second bolt and the pin if, like us, you're so inclined.

I climbed this yesterday and enjoyed it. I'm 5'9" and found the right hand reach to be very 'reachy' indeed. The crux starts at the ground and goes to the second bolt. After that, the climb eases up a tad. I put in a blue Alien between the second bolt and the piton in the horizontal 'crack' for added measure. Short and sweet.