Solid Gold in one pitch?

Does anybody think that solid gold in joshua tree could be lead in a single rope stretcher pitch?. I was just thinking of how intense that would be.

Sure, just don't bring a rope and you won't have to worry about drag :)

Yes, but you'd need some serious runner action or be looking at some epic rope drag on the upper section. Probably not worth the effort but let us know how it goes.

good call. I was actually just looking at some pictures of the last time I climbed it. I'm not going to be back there for... months now, so I probably won't want to be in Joshua Tree while i'm back anyway. too hot. I've done that first pitch like four times, but the second pitch I've only done once. I was too shaken up by the run outs on the first pitch the last time I climbed it (taking 5 months off of climbing really messes up your confidence levels). I do love that second pitch. Stepping up on the knob, then that traverse were killer, and I wasn't used to that much exposure at the time.

Pat - I have never done the second pitch. Sent the first pitch twice - what an absolutely incredible pitch.

Tell me about the second pitch. Easier, or harder? As sustained? Does it angle up and right? Or over the roof on the left? More bolt protected face climbing? Worthwhile?

Anyone sling that little knob at the mantle move up high on the first pitch? If you blew the mantle, would it hold . . . - probably not, but maybe.

Perhaps I need to get back to JTree . . .

Wally

Second pitch is also .10a. Climb up a flake and make a wierd move onto a big knob. You then traverse left along a seam and then have to climb straight up. A nice pitch, very different from the first but I think even more runout on the last bit. Seems like you'd have way too much drag if you did the whole thing in one. Don't know why you'd bother.

I've always climbed it in a single pitch- since '89 the first time and dozens since- why would you want to stop when it's so good? I don't think we were using 60m ropes back then, so it must have been a 50m rope stretcher. Good stuff!

Cool! On my "list" - thanks Pat, Fat, and Eli!