Warm-Up Handcrack 

In my opinion, this definitely deserves to be on the Best of the Creek list. As it was for me, this is a great route for those who are trying to break into leading sustained Indian Creek 5.10s, but don't necessraily want to do it in front of the masses at Supercrack/Donnely. I believe there is also a decent short 9+/10- route about 60 feet to the right.

However, from what I've heard, folks at the ranch have asked that climbers not climb on the reservoir side of Reservoir Wall (and also Tricks Wall). I think its more of an aesthetic thing for them, where that part of Reservoir is in plain view of the ranch. Someone who knows the situation better than I could probably give better info. In any case, so as to maintain a good relationship between climbers and local landowners, it is probably best to abide by their wishes.

Superb. I'd echo on the quality, merit, and certainly recommend the line to anyone even beginning to work into the ten grade at the creek. I'd suggest at least one each at 1 and 1.5 sized friend for the first part of the pitch.

Damn good route. My 70 had a plenty left in it once I lowered, I think a 60 would work.

A 60m rope works but make sure to knot the ends just to be safe. May want to bring some new webbing to leave at the anchor. I climbed this back in november of 05 and it was looking pretty weathered and sunbaked.

Surprised nobody mentioned it yet...as of Fall 2005 there was a heinous death block about 25 feet up the climb (approx. 6 feet x 4 feet) that easily wobbled. I found it impossible to avoid without placing a gold Camalot above it and yarding on the cam. There was lots of chalk behind this block - please think twice before manteling on this beast.

At Thanksgiving 2006, I don't remember the block. That doesn't mean it wasn't there though, I don't remember a lot of things. 10+ is very generous for this route. It was tight hands for me in certain spots, but I've got big paws so the average hand should have no problem on this one.

70 meter rope gets you down from this excellent dihedral.

re: death block; if I am thinking of what you are thinking (the top of the pillar at the base of the crack proper), it is not that loose or sketchy by desert standards. I wouldn't place gear behind it, but if you know how to climb softly on your toes, and not pull straight out (a valuable skill in the desert) you should be fine.

The “deathblock” is the top section of a huge wedge-shaped column at the start. There’s a crack suggesting it’s separated from the main column, maybe 8 feet (?) from the apex. The width at that point is over an arm-span, and probably as deep. I’d guess the thing probably weighs over two tons and is quite stable on the rest of the column. I’d worry about the giant detached pillars up top suddenly falling long before I’d worry about this thing. I'd place gear behind it, I'd yard on it - you're not moving that thing with a 20 foot crowbar.

In regards to my comment on the death block...I remember pulling on the top of it when I first encountered it and the whole thing moved about an inch outward. My partner and I even considered trundling it at the time but left it alone figuring 1. its part of the desert climbing experience and 2. it would have made a TON of noise. Perhaps since then it has settled into a more stable position? Hard to say, and I'm glad other people feel it's safer than I made it out to be because this is a killer route.