Mercury's Lead 

Standing on the ledge and looking up, like most stone routes, its hard to see any holds at all. Once you get going on this a pattern of small edges (I mean small) appear and lead to the first belay. There is one opportunity to place about a #2 cam about 3/4 of the way up the second pitch. The rest goes easier..

nbrown thanks for the route write up. Just a little comment on the line & intentions for the way this route was first done. The intention of this line was to stay well right of the Great Arch & be an independent line. I wanted it to fill the Gap between the Great Arch & Rainy Day Women.

It was a very long time ago but what I remember of the first ascent was the climbing and line put me where I ended up placing the second bolt a little bit left of the first bolt. When observed like a directissima line. So to compensate for this, from the second bolt the first ascent line actually goes up & trends right, at about 1 o'clock from the second bolt. My intention was for the line to move further back to the right, away from the Great Arch. I believe I belayed from a crack/flake & somewhat of a ledge system at the end of this. Pitch 2 goes up this.

As I recall doing it this way, is definitely a bit more difficult then going straight up or a bit left from the second bolt, I remember a distinct crux high above the second bolt just before getting to easier climbing and the belay. At the time it was quite exciting/nerve wracking and as I was "sweating it out" I remember wishing I had wings on my feet to make it thru the moves. Hence the name "Mercury's Lead".

As I mentioned it was a long time ago, Easter weekend 1973, but as I recall we didn't belay for any pitches in the Arch for this route...

I also went up and right , not into the arch. I seem to remember a thin belay on a small ledge. Great route Bob. I guess sticky rubber brought this one down a ways.

It didn't seem as hard as I was expecting, but that may be because I'd just finished leading Great White Way. Exciting climbing nevertheless, and hats off to Bob Rotert for a great route!

JL

Fantastic small featured climb! Almost like face climbing versus friction. LIttle holds lead you up, up and away! Pulling the slight bulge at the top of the first pitch seemed like the crux for me, but the line is pretty sustained overall! Totally recommend it!!