Royal Arches 

This was literally the first climb I did in Yosemite. It is rather amazing that some parties can blast up this route in an hour, while other parties take 12 hours. My first trip up was in the latter category! Many years later I climbed it in a leisurely 3 hours, why the heck did it take us so long the first time? Inexperience, confusion, no sense of urgency I guess. However the year was 1983 and we were one of the last to cross the rotten log. The crux of the original route was the second traverse just before the rotten log. This crux is no longer part of the route.

In the spring this route is susceptible to snow-melt streams (even into July after a big winter). You can still do the route, but you have to navigate some stream crossings for extra fun.

I'm considering this for my first long climb in the Valley in just a few weeks. Anybody got advice on trying to take just a single 70M rope for this route? Does a 70M allow you to link more pitches? Can you rap safely to all the standard rap stations on a 70M? Sure would be nice to leave my two 60s at home...

Take 2 60's and do the 7 raps in the dark with one headlamp. That was our strategy.....

Jeff, Royal Arches is in the direct sun almost all day. My suggestion would be to start early, go fast, and plan on being back on the ground before noon. Carry one single 60 or 70m rope. In my opinion, carrying a second rope in order to do a few less raps isn't really worth the extra effort.

Ok, just did Royal Arches last weekend. Awesome experience (highly recomend taking advantage of the bivy spot with the freshwater spring at the top for a most memorable night in Yosemite). Regarding my previous 2x60M vs. 1x70M rope question, I can now say with confidence that one 70M rope would've made for MUCH faster/easier climbing in the summer heat. We came across two other parties who were able to link more pitches than us with their 70M rope, and I guarantee I would've climbed faster if I wasn't lugging up that damn 2nd rope in my pack.

Thomas Keefer and I linked this with Crest Jewel one fine day in 2005 (?) and climbed all day long without seeing another soul until we topped out on North Dome. It's a classic linkup and well worth doing. We started at sunrise and got down just in time to hit the pizza deck. Tom subsequently went back and linked up Crest Jewel Direct, which he said was even better. Either way, you can blast up Royal Arches in an hour or two if you simul, and then gawk at the face of Half Dome while climbing pristine, judiciously bolted slabs for 10 more pitches. Just don't screw up the 'reproach' down North Dome Gully (or back to the top of RA for the raps, which we chose instead). Highly recommended linkup.

I think the North Dome Gulley descent is not a bad option. That being said DON'T SCREW IT UP. I have done this descent in like 30 min before but most people will take an hour or so. Take your time and get it right or you'll be facing dangerous cliff-outs. The raps might be a good option if darkness is approaching but for many the descent can provide some of the most spectacular views of half dome.

I thought Royal Arches was fun but probably has the classic status more for its history than for the quality of climbing. Super fun to link Royal Arches up with Crest Jewel Direct. We hiked out to Hwy. 120/Tuolumne and hitch hiked back. A competent party should be able to move fast on Royal Arches as well as Crest Jewel and do the linkup no problem. Have fun!

Lost camera - I seemed to have lost my nikon digital point and shoot somewhere on the Royal Arches descent/North Dome Gulley this weekend.

Please let me know if you find it! Thanks.

We started just before dawn on a hot day in mid July and happily discovered that by maintaining reasonable upward progress we could stay in the shade until quite high on the wall. It was approaching 9 am before the sun caught up with us well beyond the rope traverse, making the route quite pleasant in spite of the warm temps. A fast party could beat the sun to the top if climbing on a day near the summer solstice. Though the descent on the North Dome gully trail was brutally hot in direct sun.

What do you who are familiar with this route think of climbing it in the middle of May(16th-22ndish). I understand there is potential for a "raging river" to form, is the climb still climbable, or does it need time to dry?
Just dreaming of what lines Ill be able to do while Im down there.

Thanks,

Did this route just yesterday (may 9th, 2010).

The only wet spot was crossing the pendulum pitch. We stayed pretty dry. The waterfall is boiling but where you have to cross it there is an obvious crack that you can climb even when wet. We could place adequate protection and the rest of the way was a hoot and dry.

The rappel down can be done with one 70m rope.

Don't let the 5.9 or 5.10a rating fool you.

If you grab the pendulum rope (FUN!) the whole thing goes at 5.7 or less.

Perfect for beginners looking for an adventure!

Single rope raps- can be rapped with a 60 m rope and only one section of downclimbing.
The first rap from a tree (about the 5th or 6th single rope rap) will send you down a 4th class slot to the rappeller's right. When you run out of rope on ledges, look for a tall very dead tree standing on its own. To the (skier's) right of the tree is a hidden bolted station--just be careful on the last move to the station.

1st attempt bailed off the large ledge above P3 due to the crowds. 2nd attempt bailed off of P6 due to time and size of group. Haven't given up, gonna make it to the top one of these days.

Did this on Father's day with my son. Please note that the wet sections on the last traversing pitch have turned to slime. I would not recommend soloing this pitch right now. We both slipped (somehow without actually falling) about 20 feet from the woods. Some kind soul has rigged a fixed line for the traverse out of the woods, which is also covered with slime.

anyone have any info/rating about the variation - i think its a variation - around pitch 3 or 4, after some 3rd/4th class you can see a really nice right-facing corner with a right-leaning scoop at top, just right of that corner there is a thin seam with a tree in it. going up the left corner, really nice hands and lieback... After that pitch there is a ledge, and then a more tenuous right facing crack/lieback that you take up, then around the corner to the left into the gully... At some points the rock is kinda flakey... probably harder than 5.7... name/rating for this variation?

Great way to start the day if you're linking this with North Dome! Pendulum, shoeless waterfall traverse, a few fun cracks, and the most terrifying 5.4 traverse I've ever been on. A classic despite the wandering nature and short pitches.

Some of these pitches are better off linked. Use your best judgement on this (read the topo!). The rappels are perfect with a 60m rope, be mindful about the knots at the ends, there are few chance to climb up and untie one if you pull it above you. One of the bottom rappel stations puts you into the 5.5 polished gully (pitch 3 I believe), careful with this, a 60m rope is just enough to put you halfway down the gully but that's it. There is a great stance there for you to pull the rope through and I would suggest this instead of rapping to the top of that pitch. Chimney down it to the 3rd class.

There is a left facing just before the last pitch or two of traversing to the rappel bolts. Do not go up the steep crack! We did two 5.10 pitches to top out, but ended up bailing back down because there was no walk off or access to the North Dome that we could find.