Seasonal raptor closure at Monument Area MORE INFO >>>
Rock climbing is not allowed 1/4 mile either side of the Monument due to a nesting pair of Golden Eagles. The birds are using Staender Ridge as a perch therefore it is also within the closure area. The trail which is on the backside of the Monument is open to through traffic, but hiking is not allowed around the cliff faces.
A true gem amoung cracks. The pearl is hard for the grade but one of the finest cracks of the gorge seams. This seam has multiple hard section with a funky crux up high moving through a small roof. Above the crux the climbing eases but the climbing becomes runnout.
Location
The route is located to the left of a wide crack on the narrow catwalk.
Protection
Bring a full selection of gear to a #3 camalot with extras in the smaller sizes. I found an offset alien and red loweball comforting at the crux and above.
This is the best 5.11 trad climb I have done in the Lower Gorge (On The Road is a close second). The crux move for me was a powerful lieback just below the roof. The best gear placements were HB offsets and small stoppers interspersed with small to medium cams to 1".
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