The Punter  5.10 PG13

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Type:  Trad, 1 pitch, 170 feet Consensus:  5.10 [details] FA:  C. Archer, K. Gotschall, 1993. Season:  Faces South Submitted By:  Tony B on Apr 16, 2011 You & This Route  |  Other Opinions (3) Your todo list: Your stars: Your rating: -none- [change] Your ticklist: [add new tick]

The start on King's X (chalk in the center) then f...

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Description 

I list this route as a 170' 5.10 rather than a 100' 5.9, since there is no way to approach it without climbing at least as hard as 5.10. It is best done from the lower crux of King's X (5.10b) as a single pitch anyway. A 60 or 70m rope would be best.

Start with P1 of King's X, traversing out left after the first crux (stand-up move at 1st fixed pin) and head out left towards the old P1 belay of King's X. Proceed further left into the stacked overhanging flakes that create a bulge/roof above. Watching for loose rock, select holds, and protection to pick your way through the bulge and up onto the more vertical face above. Eventually the angle licks back and you climb the rounded arete for nearly half a rope length to the ledge. Moving up and left on the ledge gets you a cleaner, more secure, and comfortable belay.

Location 

Start with P1 of King's X and finish on the West face ledge below the base of Left Out.

Protection 

To do this route, certainly take a set of cams to 4" plus a lot of long slings. There are additional placements available to those who double up on cams 2-4" to avoid a few run-outs, but gear is still somewhat tricky and requires skill and judgment to place. This is NOT a beginner route. As a single pitch, drag was minimal for me with good sling work.