Upper Finger Traverse  5.9 PG13

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Type:  Sport, 1 pitch, 80 feet Consensus:  5.9 [details] FA:  Paul Radigan, Art Howells, John Auld, Herby Hendicks, 1960s Submitted By:  Bosier Parsons on Feb 4, 2009 You & This Route  |  Other Opinions (1) Your todo list: Your stars: Your rating: -none- [change] Your ticklist: [add new tick]

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Seasonal falcon nesting closures MORE INFO >>> The East Face of North Gateway is closed to climbers every year from around Feb 1 until early August, depending on when the birds fledge. It's not posted out there, but since the closure has been in effect for 20+ years it is incumbent on climbers to know about closures by stopping in at the visitor center and asking. The falcons always nest in a big pothole above the traverse ledge and below the Kissing Camels arch. This information is a public crowdsourcing effort between the Access Fund, and Mountain Project. You should confirm closures, restrictions, and/or related dates. Keeping climbing areas open and conserving the climbing environment

Description 

This route is on the Finger Face on North Gateway Rock. Begin by climbing the Lower Finger Traverse (or the Finger Ramp) then continue above the chain anchor in the alcove by chimneying up and behind the flake, and belaying at the top of the Finger formation at two drilled pins.

From the top of the Finger Pillar, climb up to an old Star drive bolt, which sticks out slightly, but seems solid. Step up and right, then traverse right (first crux) to a good stance where you can clip a solid drilled pin. Now down-climb and traverse right simultaneously (second crux) until you can step across to a good stance and another drilled pin (use a long runner here). Climb up and right past a few more drilled pins, then make a steep pull up and over some delicate potholes, with 2 psychological threads for protection, and continue easily to the anchor.

I give this climb a PG-13 rating as the climbing is sustained and sequential, and a bit run-out. A fall at the first crux, prior to clipping the first drilled piton could be quite dangerous, especially if the star drive bolt rips. Any fall on the traverse would provide quite the swinger for either the leader or follower. Also, the potholes were a bit fragile, although the climbing through them isn't too hard.

We climbed this with a 70m rope, and it did NOT reach the ground. Instead, we replaced the webbing on the anchor using a magic-x, rappelled down slightly lower than the Finger Pillar and did a fun running pendulum to get back to the top of the pillar, and down to the chain anchor in the alcove at the top of the first pitch. Another recommendation would be to climb with 2 60m double-ropes which would allow you to rappel all the way to the ground, and may be a nice option for offering a little more protection to the follower if needed. However, if you think you might fall off this route, you probably shouldn't climb it.

Protection 

1 Star drive bolt, 5 drilled pins, 2 pothole threads (psychological only). 2-bolt anchor (webbing replaced 2/4/09), with a third bolt back-up (this one needs a wrench to tighten down the hanger).

Photos of Upper Finger Traverse Slideshow

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Mike Houston just leaving the belay.	Through the first crux. Get ready for more fun!	Through the second crux. You can breathe a little...
Pulling through the potholes while laughing at the...	Mike Houston relishes another great Garden adventu...