Alec Finke Climbing the wide section

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Alec Finke Climbing the wide section

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Deep in the trough

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James Buehler

Aug 21, 2018

“Alec Finke Climbing the wide section”

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Alec Finke Climbing the wide section

The Standard Thumb

Summit of the Thumb

Showing the walk off descent route from the summit. Easy, safe, and fast. Expect 1.5 hours, summit to car, for your first time down.

Cue 'Rocky' Theme

P7 yumminess seen from the bolted anchor. The flexible flake takes gear but will probably break. Chimney a bit higher and throw in a #6 C4 for pushing to the end. Great & proper 5.6 OW.

THumb In A Dash

Dan heading into the squeeze on pitch two.

The easy end to P6, the 'thank god' stance & bolted anchor, and (at last!) good pro. A #3 C4 fits great in the groove, and #2 C4 in the flake. The P7 OW and chimney are above.

P6: If you like thin and sparse gear, with friction rather than jamming in cracks, then this pitch is for you! I was less than thrilled...

Fun start and first crux of P6. Easy hand crack leads to slab & stemming into the left groove, with another jog left before the anchors. The P7 5.7 chimney is on the horizon.

Wide pitch

The pitch 8 chimney

P8 yumminess. There are chockstones to sling deep inside, but it is really a VERY secure squeeze chimney.

P8: I wish the Wasatch had more squeeze chimneys like this! Below is the last slingable chockstone and crux section of the squeeze. Frankly, I think you're better not placing gear and just maintain good squeeze technique. Also, trail your pack & rack!

The supposed 5.6 squeeze chimney.

P7: Your climbing partners have a great view of what is in store for them on the 5.6 OW as you lead it!

Trough love

Le top!!

The final summit bid!

Don't fear the goods!

Takin off on the off-width

If linking P7 & P8, back clean the #6 C4, scramble up and sling the dead tree (still good) and continue on up the chimney! Step right if you want to skip a great part of the pitch.

Shawn topping out on pitch 2.

View out from the P8 chimney.

"Shoulder stand from smooth chimney" April 21 1962 from the Alpenbock Scrapbook. Pitch 7 squeeze chimney

P8: Such a fun chimney! Step back left atop the big chockstone at the end to set up a good anchor.

Nice view...

Check out this sweet little mishap. My rope decided to snag a bush and hold on tight 50' above the deck on the first rappel. I had to climb back up and free it. There is a new chordelette and locker waiting there as a party gift for the next group.

Lunch Ledge seen from the end of Indecent Exposure/S-Crack vars. S-Direct continues up the center corner, Standard Thumb comes in from the left, exits right. Might be nicer (but harder) to lieback and slab in the corner to a belay rather than...

Buried anchor on P2

Jonny Wilson rappelling from the top of the Trough pitch.

going out for that final anchor at the top

Deep in the trough