The Halidome is the enormous, south-facing crag adjacent to Ra. It is 500+ feet tall and over a 1/4 mile wide with several offshoot canyons, gullies, and other connected buttresses. It is the most obvious huge rock 3.2 miles west of Empire. The height of the crag plus the fact that it sits several hundred feet above the road, combine to create a surprising big-wall atmosphere. For years climbers driving by haven't considered this crag to be worth investigating. It might appear broken-up, the rock unappealing, but closer inspection has revealed several excellent, steep, direct lines to the top on mostly good rock. Where the stone is good, it is as good as alpine granite can be. The Halidome has some cracks but no continuous trad lines have been found, yet. Most routes will either be mixed or pure sport routes. Remember, this is an alpine environment (top elevation over 10,000') where all alpine variables, risks and dangers should be considered, even on "sport" routes. An imperative concern on both Ra and The Halidome is the sharpness of the rock. Ledges, aretes, and lips of overhangs tend to be extremely sharp. Always protect your rope.
The Halidome is so big that it is hard to describe, especially on its upper left reaches where access can be difficult. So far, the most direct lines being developed climb above an easily accessible, huge, sloping ledge that divides the right half of the crag horizontally into thirds. This ledge (The Catwalk) can be accessed by trail from the right. It tapers and ends at its left margin at a point about 200' off the ground. On an early trip across The Catwalk a climber was trapped when he looked back and saw a mountain lion strolling along the ledge blocking his return! At the left end of The Catwalk is a peculiar feature: A 50' tall balanced pillar stands about 15' away from the main wall. Looking like a carved stone head, it's been dubbed the Easter Island Head (EIH or the Head), and it is the best landmark from which to describe the routes on the main sector of the crag.
History: Little is known about early climbing history on The Halidome. Signs of climbing (about a half dozen old pitons) have been seen here and there. In the recent past, bolts and rap anchors were placed on and below the Easter Island Head. There's also an unfinished 4-bolt line coming off the ground way down and left of the EIH. These were probably drilled by Bob Horan who has done some exploring in the area (he related the story of the cougar on The Catwalk). It seems likely that someone (Kor?) may have climbed all the way up, but definitive evidence has yet to be found.
Getting There
To The Catwalk: The approach to The Catwalk follows the same trail as for Ra but turns left about 3/4 of the way to Ra. At the very lowest flanks of the Ra massif (still many hundred feet from the routes on Ra), the trail will enter a boulder field. Once in the boulder field you'll spot a big blonde boulder above as a first landmark. About 250' above this boulder is another obvious big boulder near some trees. The trail to Ra continues straight above this second boulder, whereas the Halidome/Catwalk trail cuts left just below it, then follows cairns for a short distance across the hillside into a gully. (As of spring 2008, this gully has tons of freshly cleaved boulders that have come off an obvious scar below the start of The Catwalk--scary!) Hike up the gully for about 100' to the start of The Catwalk. Look for a 6' tall dead tree stump and head left. Once on the exposed part of The Catwalk, watch for loose rock and carefully navigate across toward the EIH. Allow 20-25 minutes for the approach.
To the base of The Halidome: Park in a large pullout about .1 mile past the normal parking. This will put you approximately below the center of The Halidome. An obvious boulder field shoots straight up to the base. When you reach the base of the cliff you should be in a steep gully. Move up the gully and left along the base for a couple hundred feet until the stone gets better and start to look for bolts.
Bolts & hangers: $3.25. Gas to the crag: $3.00/gal. Coming home after a brush with eternity: Priceless. The first route to go to the top of The Halidome, this 350' sport route starts from the Catwalk, about 30' right of the EIH, just behind a long boulder. Overall, the route is very nice with some sections of less than perfect rock, but most is on good stone.Pitch 1: 5.11a, 18 bolts, 140', 3-bolt anchor. This pitch can be broken into two sho...[more]
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