As described in the Donnelly Canyon intro, this route is quite obvious. On my first visit to the area, I said, "That must be Supercrack." I was wrong, but this is one striking line.
From the parking lot, cross the drainage and head up canyon about 50 yards, then follow an obvious and well built trail up and left to the bottom of the route.
The first pitch is 120 feet long so don't forget the trail line. The first 25 feet or so are the awkward crux of the route, then you're in hand jam heaven. The crack does widen slightly near the anchor. The #4 Camalot is for the obvious pod at the bottom, you could get by without it with a big-hands piece a little lower. Have fun, and don't forget to keep your weight on your feet, no matter how much they hurt.
The route has a wider second pitch that I've never seen anyone climb.
Protection
9 #2.5 Friends or #2 Camalots, 3 #3 Friends, 1 #3.5 Friend, 1 #4 Camalot trail line
By Ben Faber From: Benfield, Kolorado Oct 31, 2001
You can use a 60m rope if your belayer walks uphill (to the right)to lower you (through your own biners). When they second and rap, they can veer that way and safely reach the ground. Thanks for not inflating the grade of this climb like some do.
I'll add to the grade inflation, but saying this route is 5.10. So much of this depends on the type of climber and very much on the size of his/her hands, but in relation to the other 5.10's in this area, it is 5.10. Many consider it harder than the Incredible Hand Crack, which is given the 5.10c rating.
This brings up an interesting point with this area. Many of the climbs are not given a letter grade - just 5.10 or 5.10+. I was initially annoyed by this because I am very solid on 10a, but quite desperate on 10d, but I think it makes sense. Whether a route is an easy 5.10 or a hard 5.10 is almost completely dependent on your hand size and your endurance level.
Generic Crack requires much more endurance than the Incredible Hand Crack and while the crux wide pod on GC is not as hard as the overhanging section on IHC, it is more technical. I'd say the routes are very equal in difficulty.
Bill brings up a good point in his comment above, and also his comment to Supercrack.
New climbers to IC should really take the ratings with a grain of salt. Don't worry about them too much, especially if you are above or below average in size. It's all hand and foot size dependent - ratings can differ by a number grade or more depending on the climber.
For instance, Chocolate Corner is desperate for me. I onsighted it (barely), but I haven't led it successfully since then. That climb actually has a restraining order against me, I simply can't handle it.
I remember one tiny woman (who needed to fist jam IHC) unwilling to give Battle of the Bulge a try cause it was supposedly 5.11. It would have been good hands for her and a cruise.
This route can actually be easily toproped with a single 60 meter rope. As the belayer lowers the climber (and the climber nears the ground), the belayer can walk up the hill to the (climber's) right. After walking 10-15 feet up the hill the climber will reach the ground. Remember to tie a knot in the end of the rope of course.
I will probably get flamed a bit for my comments, but I also hope this will help other first-timers in Indian Creek: This climb looked doable enough for us, but turned out to be a substantial undertaking. The length, and its hunger for #2 Camalot sized gear ended up forcing us to climb until we almost ran out of gear, set an anchor with the last 3 pieces, lower, take outher gear out, switch leads, go up again, etc. Climbing it that way trippled its length, and can NOT be recommended. Fun climb, but make sure you have the gear. I would recommend Chocolate Corner, or Twin Cracks as a more doable alternative (shorter - less gear)
I remember starting this lead with seven #2 Camalots, and laughing at this. I also had quite a few 2.5 Friends. But by the time I got to the anchor, they were all gone!
I would say the route is 5.10- based on my relative experience. I am not ashamed to inflate, I mearly wish to communicate to other climbers what I feel the route should be rated. Good foot work and you will not have toe jam completly. I used 7x2, 3, 4 Camalot on the route.
By Ben Mottinger Founding Father Oct 7, 2002 rating: 5.10a
Really good jams and a nice long route. Excellent. Just as good as IHC IMHO.
Since this was my first lead at IC, I will have to "inflate" the grade as well, but when the hands got a little wider at the end, I was getting pumped (for my smaller hands) so I definitely say 5.10. The "technical crux" pod didn't seem that bad. This was really an endurance route for me.
I hate this grovel fest about as much as I hate Supercrack. Easy, grovelly, and painful. I'll never understand why people line up for this one, when there are a hundred other "hand cracks" of far superior quality.
By Tony Bubb From: Boulder, CO Nov 12, 2003 rating: 5.10a
Funny enough, I am also not a big fan. Ive repeated a lot of routes at this wall, but not bothered with this one. It's a little flaring and rounded as compared to the classic Indian Creek splitter. I found it to be less than 'great' for the creek- not a destination. There are plenty of better climbs around.
Just for the record, Jimmy Dunn and I did the first ascent in '76. We never named it, it seemed odd to name a crack climb when you were surrounded by thousands more. I lead the first pitch and Jimmy lead through to the top on what sounds like the pitch "no one ever does". I remember it being a strenuous OW that Jimmy flew through in his usual style. It's funny reading the gear list for these climbs. I think I placed 3 hexes on the first pitch and Jimmy may have placed a couple on his lead. I remember discussing with him that if he fell and his pieces pulled that we would both be heading for the desert floor. Lousy name, but it's fun to see it get some recognition.
By Danny Inman From: Westminster Mar 25, 2005 rating: 5.9+
This is a wonderful route in my opinion. The crux for me is the first 25 feet up to and out of the first off-width pod. From there you have about 80 feet of perfect hand jamming to the bolts.
Dont take too much time placing gear....Just place a piece and go!!!...The faster you go the less it hurts...I placed 3 yellow camolots, one metloious equivilent, and a 2.5 friend (I think), Whatever it was I only placed 5 pieces, and hauled ass up it
Have to agree with the above. Make sure you take enough gear. Nothing wrong with hanging if you need to rest. Rating is very dependent on hand size in my opinion. I would say no move is harder that a 9, but the sustained nature and length make this a 10a