This route has access issues. Please read the note available on the Fern Canyon page.
Chris parks on the fun and clean climbing on 'Fert...
Description
This route is down low on the East Ridge of the Fern Canyon, below (south) of the Fiddle Head. The rotue is distinguished by a pin and pink & green webbing fixed with a ring, at the transition from the super-steep start and the upper dihedral. The given grade of this route at 5.10, like others in the area, completely fails to account for the moves required to gain the crack system. The crack system is probably 5.10b, but getting to it is 5.11+ and prior to replacing the sling on that pin, downright scarey to protect. The moves may have once been easier, but the feet here have broken (some while I was on it) and that may have increased the difficulty of the route. I came down and tested the remaining holds pretty hard and what remains seems solid now, but anything is possible.
Start off left of the crack system on a rock and start working to the right on a gymnastic and insecure start- you have the option of haing a #2 camalot (2.5" cam) or a good undercling before getting to the fixed sling, Your choice- the moves are hard, insecure, and the fall absolutely nasty. Maybe consider stick-clipping the sling. Clip it short to stay off of the ground as far as possible in the event of a fall. Continue up to the sling, then just right of it on hard moves to gain a position to pull the roof and pull up into the crack. From there the climbing gets good clean and well protected. Climb the corner and thin crack on the right side to the top, where a decent anchor allows a lower off or belay.
If the start is just too hard, you can aid it to gain the crack.
The webbing was just replaced (green= new) and pin inspected (looks OK) one of the old rotton strands of webbing should be cut away. I did not have a knife with me.
Protection
A #2 camalor or #2.5 friend, plus a set of stoppers and maybe a few other cams.
Fiddle Head
RSS Feed
