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The Rookie

5.12a PG13, Trad, 30 ft (9 m),  Avg: 3.2 from 12 votes
FA: Maurice Reed, Bobby Rotert 1983
Wyoming > Laramie Area > Vedauwoo > Blair (overview) > Upper Blair > Heap
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Description

With enough pads The Rookie could probably be bouldered. However, doing the moves is only half the experience. The other half involves wondering if the small cams and wires that you have placed are going to keep you off the ground if you fall at the crux.

Start by pulling over a small roof, grabbing some interesting face holds and carefully placing the your first pieces. Once you are ready, move past your gear, and into the crux which involves powerful moves between flaring finger locks. Keep moving until you reach the next "good" lock about 6 feet above your gear. Throw something in, make a few more bizarre, yet easy moves into the groove and clip the chains.

Excellent rock, great moves, nice mental challenge, but a bit too short to get four stars. Definitely recommended.

Location

20 yards to the left of the SpectreMan, The Rookie is a short finger crack with a large boulder at the base and a funky flake hanging off the wall near the chains.

Protection

The gear is a little sparse, but very good. Bring small cams and nuts. You can also bring some midsized cams for the flare at the top.

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

[Hide Comment] Very stiff line, but in no way shape or form does this climb warrant a pg grade. You can get bomber gear almost anywhere you want it. Jun 21, 2008
JNE
  5.12-
[Hide Comment] I agree with HBW, the gear on this one is adequately spaced and definitely bomber. I spent a couple hours one day falling off this, so I know the crux piece is good and will keep you off the ground well enough. Also, the movement on this thing is interesting and excellent.

Lots of stuff is like this at Vedauwoo. It's on you right away so your dealing with the ground. Jun 25, 2008
slim

  5.12a
[Hide Comment] A creative chimney/head scum off a flake at the top is helpful for slowly eaking out the upper section. Just sitting here at work, picking the scabs out of my hair. Only one or so hard moves, but the moment you move up on that fingerlock, it feels like your hand is going to come flying out and smack you in the face. Classic Vedauwoo. Jul 6, 2009