Ghostrider 

I would like to add my two cents worth. I found the crux pitches harder than I expected (felt like 5.10d to me, and the undercling was tough too!)), and the top face pitches seemed to go on forever. Still, a very good adventure, and a worthwhile climb with a short approach. And you can have a burger and fries at the end of the road resturant too when you get done!

Don't be intimidated by the Grade rating of this climb; this eight-pitch climb is much shorter and less demanding than those Grade IV's found in Yosemite (in fact, in my opinion this route is a Grade III unless summitting). The cracks protect well and the face pitches are well-bolted and in addition go extremely quickly. Also, the huge ledge half way up the route makes for a great place to kick off the climbing shoes, rest, and have lunch.

Due to the above reasons, this is an excellent climb for those wanting to do a longer route that haven't yet done so. The short approach and brainless, non-committing descent (rappel the route), also add to the friendly quality of this route.

In my opinion, pitches two and three--the best pitches by far--should be combined. This makes for an awesome, strenuous, and long pitch with both cruxes of the climb (10c face and 10a roof traverse) combined in one pitch.

I would love to go back to this route again!

Another option for starting Ghostrider is via the first pitch of Gangway. 4 bolts, some gear. Wandering face to a two-bolt belay at a ledge.

Anybody "run" into that weird "bolt" on P-2? Third one as you move past the belay and before rounding the corner. You can't clip it; the eye is too small. Looks like something you'd find at a hardware store.

Bruce, I saw that bolt and took a photo. Nice unit.

~Susan

Pitch 1: Topo has 5.6 with some 5.9 at the top. Don't be fooled. The 5.6 must be the walkup, and in the chimney is at a minimum 5.8 and a hassle with a pack. Great pitch though, and worth doing. Once you exit the chimney, it might be 5.4 to the station. Chimney takes good pro in the back using 2.5" to 4.5" cams. It protects well and is nothing to be worried about. Anchor is a 1/4" bolt and a fairly old 3/8 bolt. Back it up with a large stopper out right. Bomber!

Pitch 2 & 3: String these together for sure. The moves to pass the bolts are pretty hard, right away. Topo shows 4 bolts in that section, but there are actually 3, with the top one the weird 1/4" guy that is not really needed. A 3.5" cam protects the transition from face/layback to crack. Easy laybacking leads to another bolt and the nice undercling. A couple of long runners is all you need. Pro in the undercling is 4" at the start and gets smaller. Use a 2.5" cam to get set for the roof moves. A bolt protects the moves over the roof.

Pitch 4: Easy and short. Maybe 5.7 with a few bolts. A bolt protects the hardest move, just before getting onto the big ledge.

Pitch 5 and onward: Start on the top of the pillar.... follow bolts upward. No real cruxes on the 5th, 6th, or 7th pitches. Maybe 5.8+, not 5.10. 7th pitch use a long sling on the second to last bolt.... it zigzags a bit. Pitch 8 starts out easy and then has a small boulder problem that is probably 10a minus. We went left and it was easy past this to the anchor.

6 raps with two 70m ropes to ground, following the route.
Rack:
7 -8 draws
7 - 8 long slings/draws
few Med to Large stoppers
1ea 3/4" - 1.5" cams
2ea 2" - 3" cams
1 #3.5 Camalot
1 4" Cam
1 #4 or #4.5 Camalot (for first pitch if you push cams)

RIP Michael Strassman....

While we are handing out R.I.P.s, I'll toss one in for Raleigh Collins too.... this route really is becoming a "ghostrider".

Tanager can now be done as another alternative for a first pitch. Might be the best start of them all. (See Tanager for specifics).

As stated above, definitely string pitches 2 and 3 together. It's not only more fun, but it skips an awkward belay. Also, the first pitch of the knob climbing has what looks like a 2-bolt belay after only about 50 feet (not indicated on the topo). Don't stop here, it's pointless. Also, thanks to anybody who was involved in bolt replacement on this route. The belay at the top of P1 currently sports a nice shiny bolt in place of the old junker; two good bolts now reside there.

Just a note on gear: Reading the above description I brought way too much wide stuff. A good rack would be a single set of cams to #4 C4 with doubles on #3. The roof traverse is mostly 3 camalot.

As everyone else has stated, definitely link 2 and 3. I found two C4 #4 cams useful, had two C4 #5 cams and never placed them, dead weight.

The last four pitches after the ledge have been described as "carefree sport climbing" and in the guidebook as "heavily bolted" face climbing. At best I would describe them as adequately bolted, with 8 or less bolts per 150+ft. pitch, you could be looking at quite the fall. Granted if you have made it this far you probably won't fall.....

Haha, probably should've read the description before jumping on this. If you're 6' or taller, and/or a bit wide in the shoulders, be ready for a battle in the tunnel. (And probably a good thing to take more than one #4 & #3 -- unless you like inching them up for 50+ feet of awkward.) Oh, yeah, and a lot of the "x"s on the topo are merely for decoration...

Quality line. 2x #3 camalot, 1x #4 is perfect for the undercling. The knob pitches up top become monotonous and less fun after a while.. especially when your toes are already hurting from the endless knobs AND you endure a mostly hanging belay atop P6.