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Drop Zone

5.8, Sport,  Avg: 2.6 from 85 votes
FA: Alan Hirahara, John German, Late 1990s.
California > Eastern Sierra > Mammoth Lakes Area > Clark Canyon > Area 13 > Area 13 - Left Side

Description

A thin start leads to progressively better holds and then a routefinding challenge at the top where it's easy to greatly increase the difficulty. A good thinking route.

Protection

8 bolts, shuts

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

Caitlin nearing the crux.
[Hide Photo] Caitlin nearing the crux.

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

[Hide Comment] The top is tricky. Looks like you should go straight up, but not many holds. Went left up a sloping ledge and then back onto the face, but it didn't seem like the way it should be done. Aug 11, 2014
Brian Allen
Palm Desert
[Hide Comment] I agree on the comment about the top. I looked to the left where the ramp SteveRRG describes is but ended up going way right and definitely off route. My partner managed to go straight up the last section after spending some time looking around and felt it was at the grade but difficult to find the right sequence. Aug 12, 2014
Nate Manson
San Diego, CA
  5.8
[Hide Comment] The top section seems straightforward. There are actually good footholds, but the massive jugs and pockets that the area is known for disappear...if you're unacquainted with slab climbing, this will feel much harder than 5.8... Apr 29, 2015
Ney Grant
Pollock Pines, CA
[Hide Comment] Wasp nest at third bolt on September 9th, 2020. Ouch! My wife stuck her hand in the hole/nest about 18 inches right of the bolt. She got stung twice - not bad given they were swarming and dive bombing her while I lowered her as fast as I thought safe. She was leading and just let go as they streamed out of the hole. Not yellow jackets, the big ones. Sep 11, 2020
Ney Grant
Pollock Pines, CA
[Hide Comment] Regarding the wasp nest, from another post by beekeeper climber Peter Underwood, beekeeper climber: Most wasp species colonies (& would need pics to confirm what type of wasp or bee) will die out over late fall & winter. They won't occupy same nest site (unless honey bee, though they could occupy different section of same crack/ void space). Consider finishing project next spring & let nature take its course. Pollinator & most all insect species are having rather rough go of it these days. Gave up on a crag last year I was hoping to develop when honey bee colony moved in after I placed just 1 bolt ... and these could likely be around for years. Oddly, I was planning to name crag Apis Rock.

Short of it is: In 2021 the wasps will be gone. Along with the world as we know it. Sep 19, 2020