Practice Slab 

Access to the TR setup from the S is 3rd-4th class only because of the convenient steps chopped into the soft sandstone, probably by someone with an alpenstock. Once you get the TR in place, you can climb about anywhere on the slab, choosing your own difficulty from 5.4 to 5.8.

Those step-chipping bastards with the alpenstocks. We oughtta vow to lynch any bastard seen climbing with an alpenstock.

Where on the Spectrum does "chipping steps with alpenstock" lie?

The crux is, in my opinion, getting to the anchor to set up the TR. "Those step chopping bastards" only took care of part of the approach. There's still a semi-dicey 4th class traverse for about 40 feet to the get to anchors once you step off the chopped steps. Not all that technically hard, but definately in a place where a slip could ruin your weekend. Also, bring a biner or 2 to back up the permenant clips on the cable at the anchors. They're starting to look kind of..um...old. This route really isn't good for much except what its name implies - practice. Doing a few lines on this face on TR will definately make you more comfortable on the real deal slab routes such as Finger Ramp and Silver Spoon.

On Monday, September 10, Brian Shelton, CJ Sidebottom, and I installed a new anchor for Practice Slab since the existing old one is unsafe. We glued in two 1/2-inch eyebolts and a 1/2-inch Army angle. The existing anchor was left as a back up. Do not thread your rope directly through the eyebolts for top-roping, instead used carabiners and slings or quickdraws to create an equalized anchor from the three pieces. Top-roping directly through the eyebolts wears them out very quickly!