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First Lead

5.6, Trad, 30 ft (9 m),  Avg: 1.9 from 82 votes
FA: unknown
Idaho > S Idaho > City of Rocks > Practice Rock
Warning Access Issue: (1) Weather Wall, Yellow Wall, & all the crags north of Twin Sisters are CLOSED. (2) No trash cans. (3) Highlining temporary ban in place for CIRO and CRSP DetailsDrop down

Description

Look for a horizontal crawl up high on the west face of Practice Rock. First Lead climbs the crack that goes up to the left side of this crawl. Short, and straight forward, this is a good lead for beginners.

Build a gear anchor in the large cracks up on top. If you are new to building anchors and are with more experienced climbers, it is easy to walk up the back side and pre-build the anchor.

Walk off.

Protection

Standard Rack

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

Finishing First Lead.
[Hide Photo] Finishing First Lead.
Matt, leading First Lead.
[Hide Photo] Matt, leading First Lead.
Closeup by telephoto of First Lead, 5.6.
[Hide Photo] Closeup by telephoto of First Lead, 5.6.
"First Lead" at 5.6
[Hide Photo] "First Lead" at 5.6
talia on first lead
[Hide Photo] talia on first lead

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

jeffozozo
santa clara, utah
 
[Hide Comment] This is really a GREAT place to do a first trad lead. It is not too long, lots of different kinds of placements are possible, and there is a good place to practice building an anchor on top. Oct 16, 2009
Drederek
Olympia, WA
  5.6
[Hide Comment] Remember to be respectful of the peeps camping on the other side of the rock. Don't walk up the back side if its occupied. Sep 19, 2011
Rodger Raubach
Billings, MT
  5.7
[Hide Comment] This is a "full value" if it's actually 5.6! Maybe not any harder, but is a great warmup and also an excellent technique builder for novice climbers. I enjoyed it. Shorter climbers find it more like 5.7... Somewhat athletic start. Jun 28, 2012
Rodger Raubach
Billings, MT
  5.7
[Hide Comment] Once an anchor is set atop this climb, there are several lines slightly harder and more challenging for beginners practice. Jun 25, 2013
Kevin Patterson
Lower Hutt, NZ
  5.7
[Hide Comment] Lovely crack climb which didn't require jamming. May be a good idea to put a directional in 6m up if TR. Crux at 4m. Sep 15, 2022