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Big Grunt
5.9+,
TR, 30 ft (9 m),
Avg: 3.7 from 86
votes
FA: unknown
California
> San Diego County
> N San Diego County
> Mt Woodson
> Poison Oak Boulder Area
Description
Big Grunt starts at the bottom of the obvious split in this large boulder (foreground) which sits atop Lunch Rock. A squeeze chimney start leads you to easier chimneying and eventually to the top.
[Hide Comment] If you ever listen to someone start this problem you'll understand why it has it's name. Those with large pectoral muscles are at a disadvantage. This is a fairly safe route to third class with a downclimb off the backside.
Apr 5, 2007
[Hide Comment] Peter, there are bolts and links (was there last night,) but it might be an awkward TR. Not sure, probably belay from above would be best as well.
Sep 22, 2014
[Hide Comment] Amazing classic! Starts as overhung offwidth to squeeze chimney and gets wider as you go up to chimney then turns to a weird slab chimney combo once you hit the hard angle at the top. Loved every second of it. We did it first try and as a free solo. On-site is doable but it's good to know some beta for safety reasons near the top. No rope necessary for me and my offwidthing crew. Although we didn't personally see a need for a rope, I wouldn't advise noobs to jump inside a 30+ ft chimney without a TR since the chance of serious injury is inevitable if you slip once inside or can't hang in the wide. Fairly difficult start for climbers who don't know good offwidth technique. Knowing how to take a rest in a decent froggy leg with butt to ankle jam is super helpful. When you get to the top, don't traverse too far right over the wide gap before you step over to top out. There's a small dark knobby crimp you can grab on to help pull yourself over. "Downclimb" is in the back. Hang down off a square left hand crimp to lower yourself onto a pile of wobbly stacked rocks. Don't just drop down. They aren't that stable. It's best to have someone down there stabilizing the downclimb "stairs" and spotting your descent. Happy grunting!
Apr 20, 2015
[Hide Comment] In my opinion probably the best climb at Mt Woodson.
There is a descent (let yourself drop down onto a pile of rocks), and a down-climb (down-climb the giant crack, near the back). To me, that down-climb is a pleasure that is not to be missed.
Aug 13, 2015
[Hide Comment] My first time climbing Big Grunt, I soloed it then discovered the pile of rocks on the descent had been knocked over; leaving a big drop and a jumble of ankle breakers. I called down to my friend to come re-build the pile. Shortly after he started, a rattlesnake came by and decided to set up at the base of the unfinished pile. It didn't seem to receptive to our attempts to shoo it away. Great climb and a pretty unique "walk off" ha!
Jan 13, 2018
[Hide Comment] Easily one of my favorite climbs at Woodson. Everyone must try if they visit! Also, down-climb the chimney on the backside. Its way easier than the "trust fall" onto the stack of rocks.
Mar 1, 2021
[Hide Comment] As a rule, I climb big grunt every time I visit Woodson. So good! The chimney downclimb should be standard. It's safe, fun and mellow. If you find yourself freaked out about getting in the chimney from the top, that's understandable, but fear not! Try climbing it from the bottom first to get the movement down. Sometimes I climb back up and down the chimney just for the fun of it!
Apr 14, 2022
Avg: 3.7 from 86
votes
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Galloway, NJ
San Diego, California
If not, what type of gear would one need to set top rope? Jun 17, 2014
Not That Into Climbing
San Diego, CA
There is a descent (let yourself drop down onto a pile of rocks), and a down-climb (down-climb the giant crack, near the back). To me, that down-climb is a pleasure that is not to be missed. Aug 13, 2015
San Diego, CA
I call it a 5.10a because thats what the Kennedy book said and it was tricky to get into the crack.
I agree that its an awkward TR since wearing a harness would be awkward.
When you get out of the crack you end up on the left side. I felt sort of nervous jumping over to get back onto the right for the downclimb.
Not for the claustrophobic Jul 17, 2017
San Diego, CA
San Diego, CA
San Diego, CA
San Diego, CA