"Numerous on-sight attempts" in Tahquitz

Hey all,

I was perusing Bob Gaines Best Climbs book and read that line regarding Darrell Hensel's route "Someone you're not" (p 151). I'm curious if anyone has any insight about what "numerous onsight attempts " means. Don't you only get one? Does this mean ground up attempts? Or was it one attempt with up and down climbing to work out a sequence?

Cheers!

Sean 

Probably means lots of different people giving it onsight attempts.

That makes sense. Not sure why didn't think of that. 

Just re-read. Here's the whole sentence. "It took slab master Darrell Hensel numerous on-sight attempts before deciphering the miraculous crux, which is both delicate yet powerful. "

Doesn't sound like multiple people. 

Sean.... you are correct. Darrell finally got it after taking huge falls multiple times.

Guy Keeseewrote:

Sean.... you are correct. Darrell finally got it after taking huge falls multiple times.

Distinctly not an on-sight. You only get one chance at those. 

Marc801 Cwrote:

Distinctly not an on-sight. You only get one chance at those. 

Marc.... true that. But Darrell did not know he was doing the crux at the time. I believe he never cheated and worked the climb, what was ahead was always the unknown.
He sets the bar pretty hi for us climbers. 

Maybe "ground-up" would be a better way to put it. He didn't toprope it first.

I think you could make multiple on-sight attempts by climbing to a high point, downclimbing, and returning for a later attempt. 

Bob, 

Thanks for the clarification. Cold and rainy this weekend so your book's helped pass the time.

Sean

Darrell continues to put up awesome routes! The man has longevity. 

If you try it in a year its basically an onsight :)