Diagonally Seeking Susan 

FA:  James Garrett and George Jameson, 1988. Cleaned up and pitches added by JG and Josh Briggs, late 90s New Route:  Yes Type:  Trad Consensus:  5.11a [details] Length:  5 pitches, 500 feet, Grade II Season:  Better when dry Views: 393 page views Submitted By: James Garrett on Sep 7, 2007 Add Photo  Add Comment

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BETA PHOTO: Line of Diagonally Seeking Susan on Contact Buttre...

Description 

We must have been into Madonna then? This is probably more of an update than a first ascent, but it is much different than previously documented, As described in the Ruckman Guide, this route was originally done in a bit of a hurry. Way back when, George and I did essentially no cleaning and aided the 3rd pitch as darkness was soon approaching. Since then, I went back numerous times with Franziska Garrett and we did significant cleaning, freed the old aided pitch (#3), and added some more to go higher up the buttress. It has evolved into a much more enjoyable climb, IMO.

Possibly, the only drawback is still the somewhat lengthy and steep approach, but compared to other things, it is really not a big deal. Aggressive cleaning uncovered a much nicer climb!....as one often finds out down the road on these north facing routes of LCC.

Pitch #1: Climb straight up the slab past an overhang clipping some bolts and fixed pins along the way. Perfect granite. 5.10a

Pitch #2: Now better protected, climb some shelfy type mantles to a thin left facing dihedral that culminates at an awkward roof to a two-bolt hanging belay ledge of sorts. 5.9 - 5.10.

Pitch #3-4: Aggressive cleaning this former A2 pitch yields a fun hands to finger crack to some face climbing. What a change! This diagonals left for a long pitch or one can find a mid pitch belay as well. 5.10.

Pitch #5: From the two bolt belay (formerly at the huge tree on the far left of the buttress) climb up and right up some funky corners and overlaps and slap your way up a very smooth well protected slab on perfect Wasatch granite. Glue in bolted belay and rappel station. 5.11a?

Rappel the route.

Location 

Approach the tongue or lowest point of the buttress. Climb directly up a slab following the bolts and the route should be clear.
Rappel the route. 1 x 70m rope good enough. 2 ropes probably better.

Protection 

Some 1/4" original bolts still present themselves, but many have been replaced.Beef exists up high on the upper pitches. Take QDs and a Camalot rack to #3.5 and some micros. Small Nuts.

Photos of Diagonally Seeking Susan Slideshow

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Heather Hayes on the first pitch of Diagonally See...	Jackie Waring follows the second pitch of Diagonal...	Dave Bowling following the third pitch of Diagonal...
Dave Bowling above the overhang, just before the f...