Getting a little pro on 'Petit Arbre', the 'little...
Description
This route is the right-most route on the Northwest face of Blair I. Take the Blair trail and cut in between Blair III from the west through a nice aspen grove. Follow the wall until the obvious hand crack comes into view.
Pitch 1 might be the best moderate hand crack (5.6) in all of Vedauwoo. Follow perfect hands to the shelf and belay. Pitch 2 has a move or two of 5.9 upon entering the crack over a wild rasberry bush. Follow the pleasant crack with the little tree (hence the name) to the top and belay.
Descent involves either downclimbing a chimney or rapping from anchors across the top of the chimney.
By Matt Richardson Administrator From: Fort Collins, CO Jul 3, 2006 rating: 5.8
The first pitch is definitely sweet. You could ask for a nicer intro to hand jamming. The second pitch is very nice - and doable. Relative to other climbs in the 5.9 area at Vedauwoo (such as Lower Progressive), this feels soft for the grade.
The first pitch was super easy and fun. I would definately agree that this is one of the nicest moderate cracks in the area.
The second pitch is no way comprable to lower progressive which is rated 9+, this route is 8+. I would think the second pitch goes at an easy 8+ and a great route for someone aspiring to be doing a harder 5.8. This thing was a classic vedauwoo pitch of a moderately no feet start in a beautiful hand crack. One can get a good spot from a belayer before getting established in the crack, at which point you can set good gear- hand sized to keep you off the deck.
Lower Blair III, II and I
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