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The Elephant's Perch
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The Fine Line 

5.11a

   
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FA: Greg Lowe, Jeff Lowe, 1972
Type: Trad, Alpine
Consensus: 5.11b [details]
Length: 10 pitches, Grade IV
Season: summer
Views: 1,535 page views

Submitted By: Clint Cummins on Jul 20, 2007


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You and this route  |  Other Opinions (6)
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BETA PHOTO: topo of first 5 pitches by Reid Dowdle, with some ...


Description 

A stunning line with superb position above a steep wall with blank rock to either side. After a short crux and one hard move on the first pitch, many fun 5.9 and easy 5.10 pitches up the single crack follow. Eventually it traverses onto the moderate upper pitches of the Beckey Route.

p1 was originally done by Fred Beckey, et al, then freed by the Lowes.


Location 

center of SW face


Protection 

standard rack



Photos of The Fine Line Slideshow Add Photo
topo of Direct Beckey by Reid Dowdle, with some edits

BETA PHOTO: topo of Direct Beckey by Reid Dowdle, with some ed...

Elephant's Perch - SW Face, Right<br /><br />14. The Thorn Bush 5.9 A3 <br />13. Slipstream 5.10 A3 <br />12. Hook & Ladder 5.9 A3 <br />11. Direct Beckey 5.11a ** <br />10. Original Beckey 5.11+, stemming pitch from Fine Line to Direct Beckey <br />9. The Fine Line 5.11a *** <br />9a. Fine Line Var. 5.8 A3 <br />8. Lost Horizons 5.10 A2+ <br />7. The Seagull 5.10 A3 <br />6. King's Highway 5.9 A3

BETA PHOTO: Elephant's Perch - SW Face, Right

14. The Thorn B...


Topo for The Fine Line.  I created this after an ascent in August 2008.

BETA PHOTO: Topo for The Fine Line. I created this after an a...

Looking across the traverse to the Beckey

Looking across the traverse to the Beckey

Wyatt does battle with the very demanding first pitch

Wyatt does battle with the very demanding first pi...

One of the many cool dihedral pitches!

One of the many cool dihedral pitches!

Lovely evening light

Lovely evening light


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By Roger Schimmel
Jul 30, 2008

The rating for this route is a mistake. It is 5.11+. The crux is by the last bolt, where the topo shows a "5.11a" move. In addition, if you climb straight up by the first bolt, it is solid 5.11. You can go left and climb up, and then go back right into the corner to reduce the difficulty. An exceptionally good route.

By Brad Brooks
Aug 2, 2008

I would second the notion that 11a is slightly off. If I would dare to enter a subjective rating, I would say 11b/c, but the crux is short and well protected, and the climb is outstanding.

By Jim Donini
Mar 25, 2009

I agree that the 5.11a rating is a sandbag. It's also on the first pitch which is usually quite cool in the morning shade. Make sure to warm up!