This route goes up the middle of the center tombstone. It is a super aesthetic climb (esp. P3) and has some great exposure. It can be a little noisy when all the jeeps and dirt bikes are crusin' around. This route has gone free, and there is a lot of chalk up there.
Pitch 1 (5.7 or 5.10d): Two ways to go. A goofy 5.7 chimney pitch starts far to the climbers left of the P1 anchor. Begin up a sandy slot, a couple very easy stem moves puts you on a ledge, traverse a few feet right and climb up the 5.7 crack/slot to a ledge, passing a drilled angle. Once on the ledge, walk/scramble to your right for a long way, it's kinda funky. Watch for loose rocks, I almost killed my dog on this pitch. Rope drag can suck. All of this can be avoided by a 5.10d direct start, which begins directly below the pitch one anchors. Pitch 2 (C2): Easy traverse up and right to the crack. Begin with C1,pass some bolt holes for an old anchor after about 60 feet and continue up steep C2 to a three bolt sling belay below a tiny roof. Airy belay spot. Pitch 3(C2): Begin up the beautiful,airy,thin right facing diherdral. At the top of the corner,the crack goes from really thin to wide. Continue up the wide crack to a bolted belay. Pitch 4 (C2):Follow and open book to the top, steep.
Location
Route climbs the center tombstone. Park and hike as you would for corner route. It should be obvious where 1st pitches start.
Protection
Standard clean aid rack w/ extra small gear, and a #4 camalot or two.
By Joe Forrester From: Charlottesville, VA Jan 20, 2007
I found a talon hook to be usefull to hook past old drilled angle holes on the last pitch. Also, the first rap from the top was super sticky on the ropes, it is easier to do just a single rope rap first, then you can double it up and fly down that thing. A killer climb though, whether you free it or aid it.
The Cirque of the Climbables (aka The Tombstone)
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