This route climbs the splitter on the 3rd slab from the left. Besides a scrambling beginning, this climb is beautiful. It lends itself to perfect finger jams and stacked finger jams. WOW! I would hike to Penitentiary just for this climb.
Protection
This route shares the anchor system (slings on a flake), so bring extras just in case. It protects with small to medium gear.
A very fun climb. Looking to crack into the 5.9 trad game? This may be the one for you. The first fifteen feet is maybe a 5.9 finger that protects well with something small and then the crack gets wide and real easy to the top. I just wish it was fifty feet longer.
Lead this one today, and it protects very well. Brass nut for the initial moves, then increasingly larger cams up to a #4 DMM. Nuts do work, but because of the relatively parallel nature of the crack, cams are easier. I did use a large hex up top, so the #4 was redundant (I always try to use my trusty hexes at least once).
This is a quality splitter. Start with finger locks, working hard for good feet. Be thankful for the jugs mid route, then get ready for some jams. I found it to be just a wee bit too tight for a full fist jam, but your mileage will undoubtedly vary. Only route length keeps this from being a true classic.
I left two pieces in the bottom of the crack; one nut and #0 power cam with a draw. I left them due to a climbing accident that occured there with a buddy of mine on 05.26.06; I was unable to retrieve them at the time and would appreciate it greatly if someone finds them before I can get back, that they contact me and I'll take them out to dinner or something for their generosity. More to come on the climbing accident in the days to follow.
Penitentiary Wall
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