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The Organ
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Organasm 

Organasm 

5.8 C2

   
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FA: Ron Olevsky & Mike Strassman - Aug. 1983
Type: Aid
Consensus: 5.10a/b A1 [details]
Length: 4 pitches, 400 feet, Grade III
Views: 1,817 page views

Submitted By: Mike Morley on Mar 30, 2002


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Mike Morley leading first pitch of Organasm.


Description 

Organasm is an excellent intro into Zion aid climbing. At just 4 pitches, it's half the commitment of nearby neighbors Touchstone Wall and Spaceshot. Furthermore, pitches 1 and 4 may be free climbed at a modest 5.8 and 5.7, respectively.

P1 (5.8) Free climb 5.8 crack up pillar, past a single bolt, and continue through awkward wide section to gain a decent stance at a sling belay.

P2 (C1) Aid through a stellar roof through a splitter crack with bomber C1 placements. The crux of the route is probably cleaning this pitch, so be sure to read up on cleaning roofs BEFORE attempting (better yet, get some practice at your local area)! Continue past roof to a bolted anchor.

P3 (C2) A fairly long (150'?) pitch. Aid through second (smaller) roof and out onto arête. Straightforward nutting and good cam placements up this vertical crack, which ends on a nice ledge with bolted anchors.

P4 (5.7) Short section up easy 5.7 crack to top.

For a topo of the route, check this out.


Protection 

  • One to two sets of nuts (offsets work great)
  • Two sets of cams to 4"
  • Extras in #.5 and #.75 Camalot size helpful
  • Extras in #2 Camalot size helpful
  • Two ropes if planning on rapping from top of P2

The use of cam hooks should be avoided for soft rock areas such as Zion due to potential to damage the rock.


Descent 

Descend to climbers' right via bushwack through gully to the north. Although fairly straightforward by daylight, just finding the descent gully would be difficult in the dark. Come prepared: bring a headlamp (and don't forget to check your batteries).

If pressed for time, retreat is possible from the top of pitch 2 via one double-rope rap.



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The Organ

BETA PHOTO: The Organ

Mike Morley aiding up third pitch (C2) of Organasm.

Mike Morley aiding up third pitch (C2) of Organasm...

Chillin' on big ledge atop third pitch of Organasm.

Chillin' on big ledge atop third pitch of Organasm...

Taken from the roof on P2.

Taken from the roof on P2.

Several extra cams in the 2.5 friend size would have been nice here, but I managed at least one hex placement.

Several extra cams in the 2.5 friend size would ha...

Going out the roof on P3.  Bring a belay seat if your partner isn't moving too fast.  This hanging belay sucks after about 1/2 hour.

Going out the roof on P3. Bring a belay seat if y...

Crank it bro.

Crank it bro.

Pat's going through the roof...

Pat's going through the roof...

Rapping off the Organasm

Rapping off the Organasm

Pitch 1. Beautiful.

Pitch 1. Beautiful.

Pitch Two. Also beautiful.

Pitch Two. Also beautiful.


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By flaco
Feb 1, 2003

i know for a fact that the 2nd pitch(the big roof) goes free at wild 5.11ish hand jams. and ive heard the 3rd pitch goes free at hard 5.11 or 5.12.

pitch 1 and 2 can be linked with a 60m rope(or less) but can cause quite the rope drag.

also, you can rap off the top of the roof pitch(the 2nd pitch) with one 60m rope(just barely).

By Dustin Wildermuth
From: Sprindale, UT
Mar 24, 2006
rating: 5.8 C1+

The gear beta posted here said bring cam hooks. DO NOT BRING THEM! You will not need them and you will destroy the route for future climbers.

By Gaar
From: Springdale / Zion UT
Dec 12, 2007
rating: 5.12b C0

This whole thing goes free at 12b....the roof is an easy 5.11.. NO HAMMERS!!!!!!!!!! Be Carfull of your rope getting stuck turning the lip, either free or aid... Recommend Building a hanging anchor right after the roof, and breaking pitch 2 up.