Dappled Mare 

Never done this in three pitches, usually go right for the bolts. Also, gotta choose, screw yourself or screw the second. Traversing down quite aways and then over, rope drag or can the second handle it?

I read recently on rec.climbing that a flake had come off on Dappled Mare. Is this true? Is it still a 5.8 climb? Thanks. Carol (cychung555@yahoo.com)

Carol,

I'm going to assume you've been reading the newsgroup rec.climbing. You've been bitten by the biggest troll there, Jeff Batten. Dappled Mare is still there, no worries. It's best to always ignore posting concerning bolting of Double Cross as well.

Whoops, Carol says right out she read it on rec.climbing, my ass-umption wasn't necessary.

Uh ... yeah. Once upon a time (not very long ago), I got suckered by one of those Double Cross bolt threads ... oops.

Both protection bolts were replaced on Edgar Rice Burros (next route right of Dappled Mare) January 2003.

On the traverse pitch, don't place any pro until you start back up the crack and get about level with the belay, (or farther if nerves allow) Use a long sling on the first couple of pieces and the drag won't be bad.

I would like to second the advice about climbing high in the crack after the traverse. I've climb the route numerous times. I climb quite high, place pro with two slings to make sure there's no drag.

We actually moved the belay to the bottom of the crack-not advised. You end up in an uncomfortable postition with a so-so belay. The crack flares in the back and makes good cam placement tough. Next time I'll have to try the advice above.

Found nuts and hexes more useful than cams on this excellent climb. Put in one cam about halfway down the traverse (with a long draw) and the next piece almost as high as the belay in the dihedral (with a sling). 3 bomber hexes later setup a belay at the top of the dihedral at an OK stance (where you can go left or straight up). Had no problem with drag and left a nice longish pitch to finish. We kept waiting for a 5.8 move but we did not think we ever did one.

This route can easily be climbed in two pitches with a 60-meter rope.

To avoid rope drag, I chose to set the first belay after the traverse. Done this way the first pitch is about 55m. There is a small stance that is reasonably comfortable for one person at the end of the traverse. Using this belay position means that the second has to downclimb to the anchor, so it is a probably a good idea to protect the traverse well. The crack eats gear, so this is easy to do.

The second pitch then goes up the left-arching crack, then up the face and cracks to the top of the wall. The second pitch is about 50 m.

At the start of P3, I put in two spread out pieces during the downward traverse with single length slings. When starting up but still below the belay, I put in another piece with a double length sling. Rope drag was not an issue even though I led to the end of the 60 meter rope, combining P3 and P4. Unless you only have maybe sport quickdraws or are short-clipping the pro, I'm thinking that protecting the traverse doesn't mean a lot of rope drag later (your mileage may vary).

Did this in two pitches with my kids, but it would have been better as follows.

Pitch 1 - go up to the bolts, start left of the yucca just off the big boulder, with long runners on pro there is not much rope drag, maybe 160 foot pitch.

Pitch 2 - do the downward traverse, climb the left leaning crack and find the most comfortable stance you can above that section. This keeps decent visual/verbal communication with the follower(s) in case they have trouble. Not a great stance but you won't be there that long. Roughly 80 feet total and puts you left and not far above the bolted stance. Again that is helpful if it is windy and you want to communicate with the second, etc..

Pitch 3 - climb pretty easy and fun rock up to nice stance below some chickenheads. Walk off right (east) past a yucca and pick your way down through the boulders. 100 feet

Done this in 2 pitches with 60m rope (last remaining bit is 4th/low 5th). As for the traverse, protect the second midway then place a piece (with long runner) about the same height as the belay as you head up the left facing corner. Hardly got any rope drag and my second felt well protected. I felt the second pitch was just as fun as the first. Folks who'd rather go 'Roan's Way' (did it already) don't know what they are missing! Good stuff!

The traverse at the start of P2 in particular is very good - along with the crack above, not sure why this wouldn't be classic, but then again I like traverses.

How do you descend?

Fantastic climb! There are great nut placements on all pitches. I've now done it with both finishes, and I agree with Dave Daly that the standard finish is more fun(although Roan's Way was fun too). That diagonal crack/dihedral after the traverse is just so sweet! I waited until I was even with the belay to place my first piece, which I slung with a double length sling and Rope drag was not an issue.

The descent is an easy scramble off to climber's right.

Lost Horse moderate classic. Can be done in two pitches with a 70m rope, or a bit of creativity with a 60.

Great route, no stress. 2 pitches. Very fun!

Tip for pitch 3 leaders; load your gear on the left side of your harness for easier access while going up the crack after the traverse. Our guidebook indicated this is a 3 pitch route, but we ended up doing 4 pitches cuz I ran out of draws with about 40 feet to go.

We found ourselves all alone on this route all day so we did it twice. Both times on P1 we started way over to the right so we basically went directly strait up instead over curving to the right. It was fun and seemed to fit with the rest of the climb. Doing it twice in a row was great since you don't have to choose between the 2 short cracks in the middle, we did them both. First time we ended with Roan Way and the second time did the normal route but set the belay after the traverse. The down climb was also tons faster the second time. Watch for loose boulders though, one rolled on me and almost pinned my legs. I escaped with only major abrasions. Also there's a bees nest on the downclimb. Watch out or bring your epi pen.

We belayed at the bolts and had no problem with rope drag,I intuitively knew to go about 6 ft up the crack before putting in a piece.All the protection at the traverse ,and immediately after, I extended with long slings.
I love this route and it has all the makings of a classic JT climb.

Classic. We did it in two pitches with a 60
P1: 5.8. Getting to the bolts in one pitch is easily done, just keep your rope running straight-ish up to the ramp below the main crack. From there 80+ feet of excellent, varied climbing leads to the bolts.
P2: 5.8. Protected the traverse with one piece, then a doubled runner on the first piece in the dihedral even with the belay. As long as the belayer keeps it slightly loose rope drag is not a big issue. The dihedral pitch is fantastic, just remember to look over your left shoulder for a sick view. Once out of the dihedral, I went straight up (last pitch or Bird on a Wire, I think). This is a bit run out in spots and felt 5.8ish and a tad spicy. The traditional line goes a bit more left into a more continuous crack system with better pro, but you probably want to break this pitch in two if not taking the direct line. I used every inch of our 60 going straight up which finishes by pulling an easy roof with good pro and 15 more feet of fun 5.8 jams.
.75 to 1.5" for an anchor in the summit block.
NOTE: This route eats gear in the .5 to 1.5 range so bring plenty of those.

Nuts, tri cams and hexes (all small to med) will place better than cams on this one.

We did it with super short first pitch to the ramp.
Second pitch to the bolted belay
Last pitch to the end.
Can be done in 2 pitch if you link the super short first one with the second one

Climbed this yesterday... Only used 2 cams the rest were hexes, nuts, and tri-cams medium/small sizes. Took the Roan variation finish which was fun and not as horrible as everyone says, a little spicy in a couple spots but not terrible.

60m rope was needed for Roan finish
used either a .5 or .75 about 10ft off of the bolted belay on pitch 2

I think I took another variation on Roan way at the very top I took the crack on the right instead of finishing straight up. fun finish still 5.8

We did this a two pitch with a 60. First pitch go straight for the bolts, you can go easy on the pro down low and then stitch it up as needed up to the bolts. But if you keep your line straight, it will reach. Second pitch, long sling the traverse and finish about ten feet shy of the top, just under a large agave plant. Solid anchor build there and it is an easy 5.0 climb the last ten feet.