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Summit Wall
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The Open Book 

5.7

   
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FA: T.Spencer and R.Perla, 1961
Type: Trad
Consensus: 5.7 [details]
Length: 5 pitches, 600 feet, Grade III
Views: 1,565 page views

Submitted By: Mark Michaels on Sep 1, 2004


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BETA PHOTO: N. Summit Wall Beta


Description 

Straight forward route finding, good protection, and an incredible location make this a prized route.

Approach up the boulder field to the right of the summit wall. Climb up an easy dihedral (5.3) for 40 feet to belay on a large ledge before the dihedral continues up at a slightly steeper angle.

All belays require natural anchors. Some horns may be slung for anchors, but these horns tend to not be in comfortable stances.

Pitch 1 - 5.6 - Climb up the v shaped dihedral for 30 feet until you reach a horizontal flake that transitions you 10 feet over to the right and up 10 feet to the belay ledge. A #2 Camalot perfectly protects the flake transition.

Pitch 2 - 5.7 Awkward Chimney - Calling this a chimney is almost misleading. It is more like a offwidth crack with plenty of holds inside and outside the crack so that you never have to use offwidth technique. The pitch goes directly up the wall out ten feet from the large dihedral on the left. There is a thin crack to the left the offwidth that takes good protection or use the crack at the back of the offwidth. Belay on a good ledge above the cracks.

Pitch 3 - 5.7 Bear Hug - Climb numerous fluted cracks above the ledge. After 50 feet the cracks form two perfect parallel hand cracks that continue for another 30 feet. After another 20 feet you reach a good belay ledge. You will pass two historic pitons on this pitch.

Pitch 4 - 5.7 - Easier climbing continues above the ledge as you lean left towards the large dihedral that you have been following for the entire route. Place a #3 Camalot in a horizontal crack just below a small roof and then pull over to the right of the roof. From here easy moves take you directly to the summit.

Descend to the north following the summit ridge. Descent to the cirque will take you under an hour.


Protection 

Cams, Hexes, Nuts, and plenty of long slings.



Photos of The Open Book Slideshow Add Photo
Going up the boulders to the beginning of the first pitch. Continue up to the right around the base of the wall.

Going up the boulders to the beginning of the firs...

Showing the approach and all four pitches. Pitches one and four are hidden behind the rock as shown by the dotted lines.

BETA PHOTO: Showing the approach and all four pitches. Pitches...

Half way up pitch three. The flutted cracks are shown here. Above this are the bear hug cracks.

Half way up pitch three. The flutted cracks are sh...

Looking down from the belay at the top of pitch three. Here you do an awkward exit from the bear hug cracks.

Looking down from the belay at the top of pitch th...

Almost to the crux of the fourth pitch. Fifteen feet above you see a small roof that you transition out left around.

Almost to the crux of the fourth pitch. Fifteen fe...


Comments on The Open Book Add Comment
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By Mark Michaels
From: Draper, UT
Sep 25, 2006

If you study the photo, you shouldn't have any major route finding problems!

By Perin Blanchard
Administrator
From: Orem, UT
Nov 13, 2007

Moved Lee Jensen's description from a comment to the route description.

By Jared Hargrave
From: Salt Lake City, UT.
Sep 22, 2008
rating: 5.7

Maybe it was the cold, lightning, thunder and hail that made this route not so fun. I need to try it again on a day with better weather.
This is a solid 5.7 climb all the way to the last pitch. The off-width is the hardest section in my opinion. In fact that sharp granite is like a cheese grater on the arms and legs when you get sucked into it. Stay out where there are good holds!
You will find awesome foot jams in the "Bear Hug" section. Not too difficult at all. I found this route protected well, but bring lots of big pro. We ran out of large cams and nuts on almost every pitch, therefore we had to do it in 5 pitches instead of 4. Also made protecting the belay interesting. The plus? It gets you to the top of Lone Peak where the view is amazing!

By Nat Shultz
From: SLC
Jul 9, 2009

Anyone have a bit more detailed rack info? Thanks!

By Perin Blanchard
Administrator
From: Orem, UT
Jul 9, 2009

We had a single rack and it was plenty (and we did it in three pitches).

As I recall, it was a set of BD stoppers (#4 to #13), a set of BD C4's (#.3 to #3, with an extra #2), BD C3's #0 to #2, a dozen or so trad draws plus two or three double length slings.

By Taylor Morgan
From: Draper, UT
Jul 20, 2009

Anyone been up to the cirque recently? I'm wondering how water/snow conditions are. Considering an attempt in early August.

By dfrancom
From: Salt Lake City
Jul 20, 2009

I was just up there on Saturday July 18th! there is still a little snow inside the cirque. Water won't be a problem. you can melt snow with a stove. I used the Alpine approach. Lot of water along the way. No snow on the trail in.