BETA PHOTO: Strone Crag. Belay from the pine trees. When you...
Description
The Strone Crag is a North-facing wall on the Standard Ridge. It is split by a left-facing corner and there is a large roof band on the right side. It is cool and somewhat shady in the early morning. The approach requires scrambling, so don't expect to wait in line to climb this excellent rock. All routes can be descended with one 60 meter rope.
Getting There
The Strone Crag is between Challenge Buttress and Narcolepsy. The Ruckman Guide recommends the Narcolepsy approach followed by an Eastern traverse and subsequent scrambling. Unfortunately, the rock is mostly broken, flaky shale that had more vegetation than I cared to deal with. I preferred our descent route. Approach as for the Challenge Buttress West Face. Climb up the talus slope until you reach a trail that angles up and to the right towards a narrow buttress with two large pines. Pass between the buttress and pines and head up the gully. Some scrambling is required to reach the belay ledge. There are slings at the base of a tree on the belay ledge for an easier descent.