This route has access issues. Please read the note available on the Lumpy Ridge page.
BETA PHOTO
Description
An excellent finish to climbs on the right side of the Book. A harder, parallel version of Cheap Date, although not quite as good as that route. Pick any route that leads up to the Cave area--especially fitting would be a route such as Howling at the Wind or the headwall pitch of J-Crack. The route starts in the same place as Cheap Date, just left of the bottom of the square-cut inset that harbors the Cave Exit. The first 30 or so feet are shared with Cheap Date, linking thin, exciting, left-trending 5.9 cracks. There is a good stance where Cheap Date splits left; Final Chapter continues straight up. The first ascentionist apparently thought this was the crux, but we both felt it was the top part of the crack (good 2 or 2.5 friend, and small nuts above that to sew it up). It's possible to step right just before this section into an easy chimney with a very loose block.
The route is rated 5.11a, but I should mention that it felt harder to me than any other 5.11 I've done at Lumpy (including Howling at the Wind and Living Dead, both .11b, and Stretch Marks and Little Twin Owls' Finger Crack, .11a).
From the ledge atop this pitch, either scramble carefully off right (rope?) and join the standard descent from the Cave Exit. Or, continue to the summit, via moderate terrain or the excellent 5.10c final pitch of Outlander, about 10-15 feet left.
Protection
Bring a full set of rps, hbs, or equivalent tiny stoppers. Otherwise, gear to a 2.5 friend.
It probably lowers the grade of that section to mid-10, rather than .10d (my partner and I both stemmed). If that's .10d, then the upper section (clearly the crux) has got to be mid-11! I'm sure we were on route, but I don't understand the guidebooks at all on this one.
it is absurd and contrived to avoid the Cheap Date crack at the start of Final Chapter. there is a good rest from which you can fire in some decent R.P.'s. the natural line moves right from there and face climbs along the side of the crack until it is possible to move back into then crack. Be warned, this thing is BURLY and THIN, I felt it to be much harder than the J-crack headwall.Enjoy
Justin, you too are BURLY and Thin! I think the stance on Cheap Date is in, continuing to stem left off Cheap Date might make the lower crux easier. It's definitely harder than Howling at the Wind.
This thing stomped me for some reason!! The start was fine, I did stem off Cheap Date as long as possible but the upper crux was NASTY! Tough lie back with a big reach good gear though. The first time I got on this, I bailed out to Cheap Date because, I didn't see any good gear available. Went back a week later to give 'er another go and found some good rp placements to get going out of the Cheap Date stance.
The Book
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