Crossfire  5.12a/b

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Type:  Sport, 1 pitch, 115 feet Consensus:  5.12b [details] FA:  Alan Watts 5/84 Season:  year round Submitted By:  Karsten on Jan 26, 2006 You & This Route  |  Other Opinions (13) Your todo list: Your stars: Your rating: -none- [change] Your ticklist: [add new tick]

High up on the second Crux all pumped out.

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Seasonal Raptor Closure 2012 MORE INFO >>> For 2012 closure info, see smithrock.com/b2evolution/media/blogs/routes/eagle-closure-2>>> This information is a public crowdsourcing effort between the Access Fund, and Mountain Project. You should confirm closures, restrictions, and/or related dates. Keeping climbing areas open and conserving the climbing environment

Description 

Crossfire is a striking line that requires a variety of climbing skills from handjams to tiny crimp cruxes and hellacious endurance. Slightly overhanging the entire way, the climbing is spectacular. Fantastic jams down low on Karate Crack lead to classic Smith face climbing up higher on nubins, pockets, and crimps. Several semi-rests make the marathon pitch seem plausible but still pumpy and interesting.

The route begins up Karate crack. As Karate Crack arches right, leave the crack and continue straight up the face. After placing a large cam in a pod above the crack you'll enter the sport part of the climb. This climb is commonly said to have two cruxes. One down low is reachy, thin, and crimpy but short while up higher you'll go through a sequential endurance sequence. There are several runout sections especially up high as you traverse to the left to finish. Mercifully the climbing is easier and the wall is steep but more than one climber has experienced an exhilarating fall there.

After topping out you can be lowered with a 70m or use the nearby Cinnamon slab to make two raps down.

Protection 

You'll need a 70m rope do be lowered off or do some easy downclimbing with a 60m.

One set of cams to a #3 camalot should get you through the Karate Crack section with an optional #4 camalot to place in a large pocket just above the crack. After leaving the large pocket you'll need 10-12 quickdraws to get you to the chains up top. Some people elect to use long runners on a few bolts up higher to minimize rope drag. Use of a light rope is also beneficial on this climb.

Photos of Crossfire Slideshow

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Clipping the first bolt above Karate Crack. Photo ...	Moving to the first bolt. #4 camalot in the ...	Whipping at 2nd to last bolt. Again. This is the r...
Crossfire, photo by Gin Lang