Captain Confusion

This route was originally named "The Fuck-up," partially after the book by Arthur Nessarian, as, coming down off the anchors, I'd inadvertently bolted the blank-ass line to the right instead of this, a more obvious line up a weakness/water streak. Captain Confusion is a nice way of saying I effed up. Either way, this is a great route.

This striking line climbs up the gently overhanging white streak through the lower bit of the wall that, once over the lip, becomes a black streak. The rock is water-hardened, clean and not subject to any Fortress Dust nonsense.

This climb is three routes -- or 50 feet -- left of Metropolis (Metropolis; Shazam; open project with a fixed draw or two; Captain Confusion). Scramble up onto a ledge (careful--it's shaley!) and traverse right past a bolt with a camoflauged hanger to the base of a small offset corner. Either leave a long sling on the traverse bolt to offset rope drag, or unclip and just go into the second bolt.

The rock crests over you like a wave--very steep but pretty good holds. Bouldery moves gain a kneescum against a pillar/flake followed by a definite crux and more sustained climbing to a good resting hole at 80 feet. Another couple of cruxes above this at the base of the smooth corner take you onto the headwall (5.11/11+), which may be a bit sandy but has good, positive edges overall. End at a hueco.

14-15 quickdraws, one long sling, and a 70-meter rope (mandatory).