What came first the large cams or the off width attempt? In my case the cam did.

I'm interested in trying some easy (if they exist) offwidth climbing. Maybe small sections of offwidth in a easier route. I've never done any...recommendations?

Well, they are not easy but Chrysler Crack and The Fox can be top-roped...

I think offwidths came first and they just used their bodies for pro.

Many of the climbs FA'd by Joe Herbst seem to have some offwidth, so pay special attention to ones listed under his name in the guidebook. P2 of Ragged Edges is a good place to start.

Ragged Edges looks like a good one to check out thanks. Chrysler not only looks hard but takes more larger cams than my friends and I would have combined!

off widths came first with stove legs/2x4's for pro etc....

When a friend of mine and I wanted to get better at OW we went to the Kraft boulder field and set up a top rope on the Plumber's Crack (the side facing the parking lot), there is a bolt or two on the top of the boulder. We only allowed ourselves OW type of movement, no layback. It ends up being about 5.10 OW. After figuring out the movement, we were able to boulder it with pads.
We also went to the Chrysler Crack in Sandstone Quarry set up a TR on that (I think you need some gear to do that). A bit of OW at the beginning followed by squeeze chimney.
I learned a lot about OW from these two climbs, hope this helps.

Consider making a road trip to Joshua Tree sometime.

There are lots of cracks to climb from finger to hand to off-width and for most part you dont really need a ton of big gear above a number 4.

But I am guessing with gear recomendations.

As for Red Rocks you would know more but I dont think there is much "pure" crack climbing. There is some but most of it is face climbing. Or there are features on the face so its real easy to "cheat" and not use the crack.

I thought the tunnel pitch on tunnel vision was sort of off-width more of chimney/body wedge. The Second pitch of beleaus book had a nice chicken wing off-width move to get into the crack.

Group Therapy has a pretty mellow OW section.

Lady Wilson's Cleavage has some offwidth.

There really isn't too much splitter, sequential offwidth here, M. Lots of face holds. The splitter wide we do have IS rad, but what you need to get going is to lead some shit like Cookie Monster, that will get your arms and legs in and the big cams working, just not kick your ass. There are a lot of chimneys on the classics here, that's probably where you should focus on getting comfortable. When I moved here I had serious issues dealing with the slick nature of some of the chimneys; allowing yourself a break-in period to do easier routes that require some 3-D thinking and climbing will get you into the mode where you'll be comfortable with the moves before and after the stacks or whatever craziness you're after. TRing Chrysler should be fine to start, I think if you take the advice to tape up your ankles before shoeing up, you'll have fun and not get too chewed up.

Oh, yeah-if you're already getting suckered into the "fancy-pants" mode (i.e. thinking that climbing in a pair of $85 synthetic Mtn Hardwear pants is the way to go), back out of that shit quick if you're doing any hard corner or offwidth. Jeans give you epic hip-scum power and tend not to tear when they snag on little crispies.

You ought to post up after you've done a couple pitches and let everyone know your thoughts. Sometimes the student becomes the teacher..

Several single pitch offwidths to choose from at the Chocolate Rocks and Illusion Crags:

Chocolate Rocks

Illusion Crags

I've recently been climbing some wide stuff out here, its a great pursuit, you'll figure out pretty quick if you like it or not. Prepare to get thrashed.

I've written up a post about the offwidth/squeeze climbs I've done so far. Lots of photos, some of which have been mentioned and other new ones.

www.mattkuehl.blogspot.com

+1. That's a fun climb.

"small sections of off width in an easier route" = burlesque



ps wish you more luck getting thru. the squeeze chimney above than I had.

Try Little Joe in Pine Creek and the Triad in Oak Creek canyons
or Crack of Infernity and Cochise in Lost Creek.

M, this is what's known as "sandbagging." Take note.

More wide stuff recommendations.

Chrysler crack gear question: What would the runout be like for me if all I have is one #6 camalot and 1 #4 big bro? Can you walk the #6 for awhile? Other small stuff available?

Big. the 6 protects the start and serves as a multi-directional first piece. It's maybe 15-20' before you can get the blue bro, if i recall right. There's a small stopper on the back wall just as the crack opens to chimney size, and one more on the right before the finish. On subsequent leads, I haven't bothered because of the convoluted fiddling and the not confidence inspiring nature of those pieces.