Type: Trad, 85 ft (26 m)
FA: Jay Anderson
Page Views: 1,348 total · 8/month
Shared By: Aaron Martinuzzi on Jan 20, 2010 · Updates
Admins: slim, Andrew Gram, Nathan Fisher, Perin Blanchard, GRK, D C

You & This Route


1 Opinions
Your To-Do List: Add To-Do ·
Your Star Rating:
Rating Rating Rating Rating Rating      Clear Rating
Your Difficulty Rating:
-none- Change
Your Ticks:Add New Tick
-none-
Use onX Backcountry to explore the terrain in 3D, view recent satellite imagery, and more. Now available in onX Backcountry Mobile apps! For more information see this post.
Warning Access Issue: 2024 Raptor Avoidance Areas! Limited Toilet Facilities! DetailsDrop down
Warning Access Issue: RAIN, WET ROCK and RAPTOR CLOSURES: The sandstone around Moab is fragile and is very easily damaged when it is wet. Also please ask and be aware of Raptor Closures in areas such as CAT WALL and RESERVOIR WALL in Indian Creek DetailsDrop down

Description Suggest change

Much like it's much thinner sister route, Sister Skywalker, Rainbow Sign ascends the sandy white section of wall between Generic Crack and the Elephant's Trunk. Much of the route is characterized by solid OW climbing, but, unfortunately, the start and crux finish are marred by sandy, friable rock.

Begin by ascending the sandy pillar (seems very loose) at the base of the climb by means of a handcrack on the right side. A #2 Camalot could fit here, but the moves are 5.8 at most and a fall onto a cam would likely shear the pillar right off the wall. Mount the pillar, dust yourself off, and ponder your fate as you take in the 5" crack rising above you. Ascend the offwidth (protects with #5 C4, bring two to leapfrog or walk, or bring 5 or 6 to sew it up) utilizing the occasional facehold for feet or to cop a rest. Unfortunately, your ascent will likely be more difficult than mine, as I broke a half-dozen or so holds off on the way up. The crack is sustained, but a couple decent rests can be had by way of faceholds, or a nice thigh/knee jam if you're the right size. Even with the features available, I think the OW section clocks in a solid 10/10+. About 70 feet up, the crack begins to narrow from fists to thin hands in a span of about 15 feet. Grab a nice hand jam in a pod, shake out, and launch into a sequence of powerful lieback moves up the now-very-thin (00 and 0 TCU/Mastercam) crack, which leads into the 11+ crux, a sequence of tough moves from a good sidepull onto sandy slopers and a couple loose holds to gain a stance tall enough to clip the anchors. Whew!

Location Suggest change

Approach as for Generic Crack and walk along the base of the wall, passing the large, left facing corner where Unknown AKA Reclamation resides. About 50 feet past the corner, you'll pass beneath a blocky roof beneath a seam, and about 10 feet right of this is Sister Skywalker. Rainbow Sign ascends the striking offwidth about 10 feet right of Sister Skywalker.

Protection Suggest change

Single rack from 00 (Grey) Metolius on up to #4 Camalot. Doubles or more of #5 C4s protect the offwidth. A #6 C4 cam be used in a pod down low, but isn't necessary. The anchor is currently two bolts with a 'biner each.

Photos

- No Photos -
loading