Touch Up is a great climb, nearly deserving 3 stars. It is best done as 2 medium length pitches, but could be done as one (rope drag may be a huge issue, there are some big traverses). Start in the massive right facing dihedral downhill from the Green Adjective. This is the same start as Perhaps and Gordon's Hangover.
P1) Follow the first 50' or so of the Perhaps route, but when Perhaps traverses right, Touch Up instead traverses left. Follow a flake 15' to 20' left out to the next face over, clipping a fixed piton along the way. From the end of the hand traverse, mantle onto a small ledge with a fixed anchor. This traverse is VERY pumpy and is the route's crux.
P2) Climb the slab with one bolt above, then work into the dihedral. Follow this up a small ways, soon turning a corner. On the upper face, head leftwards and climb yet another fun hand traverse flake. This flake trends leftwards, with a final committing move to the fixed anchor.
Descent) One double rope rap gets to the ground. Alternatively, single rope rap to the top of pitch one, then one more single rope rap to the ground.
Protection
Standard rack, emphasis on small to medium pro. One piton on the first pitch, and one bolt on the second pitch for fixed pro.
By S. Gileadi From: Salt Lake City May 19, 2008 rating: 5.9 CONDITION REPORT
The nut on the left bolt at the first set of Touch Up's anchors is loose. I tightened it as hard as I could by hand, but it needs to be tightened by a wrench.
I think for the second pitch alone, this route is 3 stars. Very diverse climbing in a great position with a cool committing finish. However, the first pitch, while fun, detracts from the overall quality.
By Nathan Fisher Administrator Apr 3, 2005 rating: 5.9+
The pitch 1 traverse is scary and has thin protection. A micro-nut, followed by a yellow Metolius (I believe), the piton and pump it out. Holding off on the # of stars til I climb the second pitch.
By Nathan Fisher Administrator Sep 24, 2005 rating: 5.9+
Great Exposure on pitch 2. I believe the start of the second pitch is not the one bolt slab, but the bolted crack on the left. Regardless, great variety on this route and some serious committment.
If you're in a hurry this makes a nice warmup for the area. If you use long runners, avoiding placing at the right-most apex of the first pitch and back clean the anchors of the first pitch (once you've clipped the bolt above...) you can do it and get back to the ground with a 70m rope. Be aware that as you're lowering off the climber may have to downclimb the initial 10 feet of the dihedral if you place gear too far from the fall line. A 70m TR easily reaches without the gear.
Also, be aware that on windy days your rope may blow around to the left and out of reach and you'll have to re-climb the route. (this sucks and has happened to me twice in the pitch dark...)
By d-know From: electric lady land Jan 25, 2006 rating: 5.9+
one pitch w/70 meter rope is the way to go. climbing the slab/arete w/single bolt will help w/rope drag
should get more stars than it does... face climbing with gear protection for the first pitch, thin gear but good holds (fun climbing but risk of falling on the low angle slab of gordons if you blow initial moves)... second pitch can be done up corner (more akward climbing) or straight up bolts, both good with awesome finishing traverse! must do
By Drew Bedford From: Wasatch Back, UT May 22, 2008
Original route follows the corner on P2. The bolts up the arete variation are actually part of Stitches (see Stitches). But using the arete variation for Touch Up does reduce rope drag.
By vegastradguy From: Henderson, NV Aug 13, 2008 rating: 5.9+ PG13
as has been said- link 'em up for an AMAZING pitch of climbing!
Kermits Wall and Perhaps Area
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