Popular Mechanics 5.9
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| Type: | Trad, 1 pitch, 80 feet |
| Consensus: | 5.9 [details] |
| FA: | Mari Gingery, Mike Lechlinksi and John Long, December 1977 |
| Submitted By: | Murf on Jan 1, 2002 |
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BETA PHOTO: Looking up from the bottom
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Description This route climbs a clean right-facing dihedral on the right side of the main formation. Start on the right face of a chimney and climb the thin crack up the corner. The crux comes early, with a long move off fingers, and continues directly up, on occasion using the cracks on the left wall. Bolted anchor/rap provides a quick return to your packs.
Protection pro to 2 inches, bolted anchor/rap (100')
Geoff Kinsely approaching the crux on Popular Mech...
| Me, just after the short crux.
| Nolina bloom taken at the base of Popular Mechanic...
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| Comments on Popular Mechanics |
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By C Miller Administrator Nov 11, 2003 rating: 5.9
| Great route with rock that always reminds me of Tahquitz. Four stars out of five. |
By Mike Hack Mar 21, 2005
| I agree that this rock feels like Taquitz rock. Smooth and not as much friction as other Jtree rock. This route reminded me of "El Camino Real" at Taquitz, although much easier. |
By namascar Apr 4, 2005 rating: 5.9
| Great climb for hot days. It is away from the sun all day. |
By Locker From: Westminster, CO May 20, 2005
| I'm going with two stars on this one. It has some really good moves......... |
By Woody Stark May 20, 2005 rating: 5.9
| Much fun with good, easy, pro placement. |
By Joe Dawson Jan 18, 2006 rating: 5.9 PG13
| This is one of the best routes I have done at JTree. My partner and I find the rock there to be like a cross between Yosemite and Tuulomne granite. 4 out of 5 stars. It is well worth the short hike, long for some of you, to this area to do a couple of climbs here. Beta: A #4 Camalot fits well in a spot at knee level once you are on top of the starting block. Red alien fits well at the very top of the second hand pod before the section of the climb where the crack peters out for a bit. You want to get a solid piece here as it is almost run out to the next piece. Jugs will save the day right when you start to feel the runout. Bring extra medium gear: green aliens thru red aliens or purple camalots. Bolts and rap rings at top. |
By susan peplow From: Joshua Tree Nov 6, 2006
| Takes great pro. Short section down low gets you thinking but easily passed. Fun, multi-star route and worth the trip when coupled with other classics in the area. ~Susan |
By Simon Hatfield From: Los Angeles, CA Feb 14, 2011
| Superb fingercrack in a corner on some of the best rock in Joshua Tree with a short crux. Tons of fun, but get there first as the approach is longer and there aren't too many options once you're waiting behind a party. Spoiler Gear Beta: The crux is nicely protected by a #1 camalot in the first hand pod, then preferably a green #0 C3 (green #6 BD Stopper is ok) in the highest reachable slot before doing the crux moves. |
By BrendanC From: Sherman oaks, ca May 14, 2011 rating: 5.9
| Fantastic. Crux is in the first 25 feet, before you get to Ace of Spades. The new Miramontes guide has this as a 10a. Typo? Felt like solid 5.9 to me, no harder than Pope's or Touch and Go. The final 30 feet after the Ace of Spades intersection looks harder than it is. Just good white granite fun. Great pro. |
By Benjamin Chapman From: CA Aug 26, 2011
| Chris, Randy, Adam, Mike.....when did the bolted anchor appear? It wasn't put in on the 1st ascent. While it is extremely helpful, because the walk off is heinous, similar post FA anchors (ie. Gargoyle/Canaliso, Silent Scream, etc) have been removed. What's the justification? |
By C Miller Administrator Aug 26, 2011 rating: 5.9
| Not sure when the original anchor went in but it was replaced around 1994 or so and at that time the rusty 1/4" bolts were definitely in need of repair, so perhaps sometime in the late 70's/early 80's . |
By Canon Mar 27, 2012 rating: 5.9
| Super dope. A breeze to protect. My first Josh 5.9 lead and I couldn't ask for anything better. |
By Fluoride From: Los Angeles, CA Nov 5, 2012 rating: 5.9 PG13
| This route never gets old. One of the best in the park. Combine it with doing Ace of Spades doing these two classics on Dover makes for an amazing half day. Sartin/Gaines just put up a new FA called Field and Stream to the right of this. Look for the nut sticking out below a bolt that's hard up enough to make it a far harder start that the usual 10c. The rest of the route is genius. Hard, but genius. Bolted with some gear. Well worth it. |
By Mike Holley From: Boone, NC Dec 6, 2012
| Another Fantastic Route at the White Cliffs! The Crux is down low for sure, shares the crux with Ace of Spades in my opinion! Super aesthetic route with some high quality lay backing! A must do in the area!! Fine Rock quality as well!!! Do IT!!! |
By j moore From: Santa Maria Mar 22, 2013
| hollywood finger crack. this would be a yose 5.8 cant get anymore locker than this. not pg13 by any means there is a short 6 foot section with no pro but its easy. |
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