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BETA PHOTO: The Owls West Face Routes
Description
Perhaps not as well known as Anaconda or Viper. Autumn Mist is a fine outing including an airy roof on P2.
NOTE: some crazy hard climber is working (or may have already freed) the FFA on P1 of this climb. So, you should know.... The anchors have been moved to facilitate a more convenient TR anchor. However... for lazy aid climbers such as myself, it is now more challenging to reach the start of P2. without a stickclip. More info below.
P1. C1+, some people end up aiding the rotten crack out right. However, if you're looking to climb the three star route, make sure you aid the thin cracks on the face just left of this rotten crack. So, scramble up the spike of rock just to the right of Central Chimney, and climb up thin cracks on great rock until forced into the rotten crack (which isn't too rotten at this point). Continue up to the new anchors. 90ft.
P2. C2+/C3-, from the new anchor, you need to get up and right to an old bolt which leads to the roof, but the old bolt is now a little way away. One way to do it is with a large hook and a long runner. Swing the runner with the hook on the end at the hanger. This may take a while, but it's better than rapping. Otherwise, bring a stick clip. Anyway, once you've gained the single bolt, aid out the roof using your smallest TCUs and RPs until better (more secure) gear is reached. Climbers with belay slaves may want to belay shortly after the roof due to rope drag. 30ft. Rope soloers may easily continue onward.
P3. 5.7 C2, pitch three is a mystery to me. The guide books show to go straight up keeping to the left of Viper but it looks mighty unlikely. I went up and right joining Viper at its old A4 crux. After finishing, I even rapped back down to scope out this supposed finish to Autumn Mist, and it looked pretty dang bleak. If someone has actually done this, I'd love to hear about it. So, correct me if I'm wrong, but I would finish on Viper (see Viper C3-). It seemed like the only choice to me.
Protection
Standard clean aid rack with some extra thin stuff for the roof on P2. Doubles from #00 TCUs (and/or Aliens) to #3 Camalots, one #4 Camalot, two sets stoppers, tricams, two #1 Lowe balls, RPs, HBs. Also, because of an anchor movement on P1 you may want a stick clip or a large hook.
Roy Leggett, CMS guide and Estes local, free climbed this route pinkpoint style (all gear pre-placed) on August 11th of 2004. All of the fixed gear has been removed and this 25 meter pitch is ready for a redpoint or flash - any takers?
I'm not very good at the rating game, but after talking with some folk who have tried it and after doing the route...I'm thinking mid/hard 12. I'm psyched to try it placing the gear and for other folks to get on it and see what they think. [It's] a great route.
On the start of the second pitch, you can get a good hook move in before the first bolt. I faintly remember it being a reach from the hook to the bolt. Even with the reach it is probably quicker and easier than trying to swing a hook at the hanger. Either way, she is a beauty!!! Enjoy!!!!
Twin Owls
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