Kidnapper Van  5.11+

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Type:  Trad, Alpine, 4 pitches, 770 feet, Grade III Consensus:  5.11+ [details] FA:  Jason Seaver and Justin DuBois New Route:  Yes Submitted By:  justin dubois on Aug 4, 2002 You & This Route  |  Other Opinions (2) Your todo list: Your stars: Your rating: -none- [change] Your ticklist: [add new tick]

Pitch 2 imperial walker crack above.

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Description 

This route follows a line up the very distinct righthand gendarme on the Arrowhead/McHenry's ridge "the Shameless Tower". It connects crack systems along the right side of this pronounced pillar in four full pitches.

To start look for a large, worm-shaped pillar at the start of pitch two, about 250 feet above the grassy ledges/slabs. Start down and right of this pillar on a ledge 20' below a right facing corner with a left-angling splitter on it's right wall. A spot of fifth class gets you to this ledge, coming in from the right.

Another landmark is the beautiful handcrack at the end of the second pitch that splits an obvious red wall.

To descend, walk right (east) a few hundred feet to the lowest point of the ridge, and do three rappels on fixed anchors with two ropes.

1. Climb the angling splitter to a pair of short handcracks, that lead to a detached spike. Angle left, then right on moderate terrain to a belay below a tight, left-facing corner (the left side of the worm shaped pillar). 180'.

2. Climb up this corner (10-), to some wedged blocks. Undercling [left] (10-). Head up to a right arching flake. Climb the flake (thin 10-) to another left-facing dihedral. Up this corner with brilliant exit moves out onto the face below the splitter handcrack. Climb the handcrack and belay just as your partner is about to start climbing. 190'.

3. Go up a ramp on the left, up into a corner system (5.8) and follow this for thirty feet. Step right at an obvious, thin, right-arching flake. Layback the flake (pumpy 10+) to a sloping, awkward ledge. Balance right and belay. 170'.

4. Climb a short corner and do a weird mantle onto a grassy ledge. The crux corner starts off this ledge. Climb the corner and obvious, crack system above with very sustained stemming and jamming (11+) 190'. Belay at a small ledge, and do a short easy pitch to the abrupt summit.

Protection 

Rack to 4 inches. Long pitches may require a double set of cams, RPs. 60 meter rope (two for the rappels).

Photos of Kidnapper Van Slideshow

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BETA PHOTO: Mchenry's and the Kidnapper Van.	BETA PHOTO: The Kidnapper Van as seen from Arrowhead's ridge.	BETA PHOTO: Kidnapper Van topo.