Lost Souls 

It's not mentioned but the description above begins partway up the cliff, after a 4th-class scramble up and right to reach fixed anchors at the horizontal break below the steeper part of the wall.

There's a worthwhile first pitch that was traditionally part of the route, but which is bypassed by doing this scramble. Its difficulty and rock quality are consistent with the climbing above, so for full value, you might want to climb all four pitches.

From the ground, scramble up and right about 40' to a ledge with tree-cluster below a steep, clean slab. A bolt can be seen 10' up this slab, marking the start of the climb. Reach the bolt, surmount a big overlap, and continue with face climbing and friction past several fixed pins directly up to the belay below the crux pitch of Lost Souls. 100' 5.9 PG.

larry, does the original first pitch start at the edge of the slime gully, I have only done the top three pitches....I dont want to miss out!

For the original first pitch of Lost Souls, start at the same gearing-up spot used for Atlantis, Inferno, Last Unicorn, etc. Instead of scrambling up the long 3rd class section that accesses those routes, look for a ledge with several trees about 30 feet up and right from the start of scrambling. The first bolt of the Lost Souls can be seen from the ground, on a slab about ten feet above the tree ledge. Scramble up to the tree ledge and set the first belay.

Slab climbing (tricky when wet) leads up to the obvious bolt. Zig right and then left to surmount the headwall, and continue up a slab past several fixed pitons, eventually reaching a bolt belay below the big headwall pitch of Lost Souls. About 100 feet, 5.9 PG.

I have not done this route but Bill told me just before he died that this was his best line. Quite a statement from someone who did so many good F/A's.

I just climbed this route yesterday...
the first pitch adds to the climb and i saw no reason to avoid it...
pitch 3, the arete with 2 bolts is a little spooky and fun...
all in all a great climb...

One of the most fun routes on the South Butt!! Consistently good/varied climbing all the way to the top.

I thought I'd post to echo the sentiments about the first pitch. It's worth doing. After the first set of pitons, on the slab, it's hard to see where the next two are. I went left and never found them/or any other gear resulting in a rather long run out to the 1st anchor. On the way down, we spotted them: look for two consecutive tufts of grass trending straight and slightly right above the first paired pitons. They should be just right on a line of sight from the clump of wimpy trees that marks the end of the slab section.

I agree with the others about the first pitch; it's well worth doing. And the arete on the third pitch is indeed spicy, so a cool head is helpful. Two raps with two 60m ropes to the ground from the final anchor: the first rappel goes to a fixed anchor straight below with one of the mightiest sets of chains you ever saw.

To start we climbed a mini pitch to a 2 bolt belay right underneath a roof overlap and a lone bolt before p1. Starting p1, those first few moves could be pg13, the first bolt does nothing if you fall mantling above it. The slab is right underneath. Putting a regular draw on that bolt would be horrendous rope drag since you break hard right immediately after mantling onto the ledge with the piton. I put a 4ft runner on that bolt, fell doing that mantle, and decked on the slab below just above the the belay anchor. Luckily didn't twist or break my ankles, it would be a horrendous approach out. Its insecure and needs a relax mind There are two small crimps on the ledge, not much to pull on once you get into it. Plenty pro on the right side after ledge.