East Face South Side/Hillbilly 

This was the very first Flatiron climb I came to in Boulder for a solo scramble back around 1990 or so. I picked it because Roach's guidebook said it was a perfect beginner's route, lower angle than usual with good pro (for some reason although I was planning to scramble that made me feel better).

I backed off it then, thinking I had a long ways to go as a climber, came back a few times over the years and kept backing off because I didn't feel comfortable with it, and only recently finally went up and did it as a scramble.

By now I've done almost all of Roach's Flatiron classics and I have to say this is more like F4 or F5 than F3. Roach isn't off very often, but I think there are a few routes where he really goofed the rating (S. Sneak on the 2nd which should be F4 - F5 instead of F3 and Sunset Flatiron which should be F3 instead of F5 come to mind).

Anyway no big deal but if you're a beginner and see Roach's recommendation take it with a few grains of salt.

My partner Dale and I were on this route yesterday. We have been on loads of Flatiron routes.

We were both really surprised at the lack of holds and lack of pro. We were anticipating a fairly easy climb, but that was NOT the case for us. If you are looking for an easy Flatiron moderate I suggest you look elsewhere.