The Calico Sling 

FA:  Al And CJ Simons New Route:  Yes Type:  Trad, Sport Consensus:  5.7+ [details] Length:  2 pitches, 140 feet Season:  any time there's no snow Views: 131 page views Submitted By: allen simons on Mar 30, 2008 Add Photo  Add Comment

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BETA PHOTO: Topo for Calico as seen from US Highway 34.

Description 

Crux is low to the ground, first bolt area. Good slabbin', abundant holds, mostly 5.4-5.5 ish. There have undoubtably been climbs done on this slab before. I did not find any pitons, bolts, or gear in any of the cracks, but on the tree atop this route a lone, 15-20 year old sling hung. The tree had grown against a rock pinning the sling and the sling had multi-colored (calico) lichen growing on the entire sling, hence the name.

Location 

Park 0.1 to 0.2 miles west of the Beige Siphon Tube. Walk west 100 yards or so and pick a way up the steep loose road cut to a large tree. Gain the base of the slab and go west/up 50 yards or so (look for two bolts in the first 25 feet). Rap off tree to road careful not to knock rock onto passing cars.

Protection 

Pitch one, 3 bolts, two near the start of the pitch to a two bolt bealy (70 feet). Pitch two takes gear in places to 3 inches to the tree (50-60 feet). The climbing on pitch two is 5.4 or so and can easily be done without any pro. Rap off sling (a new one).