Approach beta.

All Locations > California > Yosemite NP > Yosemite Valley > Valley N Side > D. Camp 4 Area > 2. Lower Brother > Absolutely Free, Center (5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a)

Approach beta.

ID 113182168 ·

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Not a bad view

On the approach to the base of the route. Go this way, left through the trees. Don't be suckered up and right too soon.

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4.2 from 5 votes

Steph Abegg

Jun 19, 2017

“Approach beta.”

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Nearby Photos

An angle of the Valley I had not seen before

Route Overlay for Absolutely Free & Positively 4th Street.

Absolutely Free Center (and Left)

The splitter 5.9 hand crack of Pitch 2.

Route Overlay for Absolutely Free.

flake on the final pitch

Not a bad view

Approach beta.

On the approach to the base of the route. Go this way, left through the trees. Don't be suckered up and right too soon.

This is the beginning of proper climbing. Don't go left like did. Nothing on the gully. You can go left, middle or right at this point. Enjoy it!

Looking up at the start of the climb

Entering the chimney

Three options for Pitch 3: fingercrack (left), offwidth (center), layback (right). All are 5.9.

Looking up the final 5.9 OW pitch.

Lauren Morrison

Dave looks over the off-hands pitch

Looking up at the start of the climb. We built an anchor at the bottom of the photo incase I blew it immediately. Not sure if this is the official start but it worked well for us

Lauren stabs a foot as she laybacks past the off-hands

Absolutely Free- View from the start of the scramble.

Start

Bolted stations were established in March 2017 at the tops of Pitches 1 and 2. You can rap the route with a single 70.

Rappelling from the chockstone at the top of the route. Need a 70m rope for this rappel. Note: chock stone loose as of Oct 2021. May want to walk off instead.

The chimney start on P1. I had to hang my backpack off my harness.

Winter ascent. HA!

The last part of Pitch 2.

Dave Silverman pauses for gear in the splitter pitch

the "4th class" scrambling to reach Michael's Ledge

Sean Ghant enjoying the final moves on the last pitch.

Absolutely Free, taking off on the thin hands.

4th/low5th scramble to start of route.

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