This route has access issues. Please read the note available on the Cathedral Spires Area page.
Up in the crux...onsight flash!!
Description
This route is on the right side of the Sunshine Wall's south face. To get there park at the large parking area and follow the old logging road past a switchback and across the mostly dry streambed, then start looking for a cairn and a faint trail on your right. This will lead straight uphill to the left side of the Sunshine wall. Hike right until directly under the multiple large overhangs. Equinox's first pitch starts to the left and ascends a 3rd class ramp that leads to some 5.9R, and a belay at slings. In my opinion, it is better to start with the first two pitches of Deception Past (5.10b). The Trout guidebook has a much better topo of this wall and describes these pitches as the first two of Equinox. Both pitches are quality 5.10, and make a good warm-up for the intense roof ahead.
Pitch 1: Start in a crack directly below the large right facing dihedral on the left side of the first overhang. The start is a finger crack in a thin left facing dihedral between two trees. A hard start eases to 5.9 before the belay in a pod with new Metolius rap rings (hidden).
Pitch 2: Start up and step left to a ramp with a thin crack above it. Straight up to the dihedral, stem the dihedral with good holds out left. Belay at the slings, which may need to be replaced.
Pitch 3: Climb right from the belay and fire up an exposed move to the slab and up to the finger crack. Crank through steep finger locks to a pod. From here it is obvious which way to go. Set a belay on the shelf after the roof crux. A two bolt anchor is shown on the right in Hubbel's guide, but I didn't see it. In my opinion this pitch was a sandbag at 5.11a.
Pitch 4: 5.8 to the top.
Descent: Walk down the gully to the east between Poe Buttress and Sunshine Face. With two ropes, it may be better to rappel the Standard Route.
Protection
Standard rack up to #3 Camalot, extra small cams, possibly some Ballnutz.
By Kevin Stricker From: Evergreen, CO Oct 20, 2002 rating: 5.11+
The Equinox roof is in my opinion one of the coolest pitches in the Cathedral Spires. From the ground this feature looks 5.12, and will feel almost that hard ( good old South Platte 11a sandbag). There are new rap anchors at the top of pitch 2 of Fallen Angel but none above that as shown in Hubbel's most recent guide. A better finish is to traverse right and end on the Standard Route's last pitch. If you start this route via Deception's past or Fallen Angel this is a 4 star route!
I believe some Ballnuts could protect the dicey moves from the ledge stance in the midle of the roof crux. There appear to be some knife blade scars that could take them. Otherwise, it's relatively unprotected (gear below your feet with nasty fall potential) after you leave the comfort of the stance, an orange Alien fits nicely just above this portion of the roof. Probably 11+ for Platte standards.
Starting via the 10 variation from the ground is a nice way to go. The start is rather tricky and powerful. You can climb all the way to the top of the first roof/ dihedral in one pitch- excellent. There are nice rap bolts here, so if you don't want to do the "monster" sandbag roof, you can rap from here. There is another set of bolts lower, so one rope will do you fine.
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