Vanderklooster's Stinky Wet Kitty
5.9 PG13,
Trad, 70 ft (21 m),
Avg: 1 from 1
vote
FA: Ben Vanderklooster & Tucker Tech, Nov. 2000
California
> Joshua Tree NP
> Hidden Valley Area
> Real Hidden Valley
> Great Burrito
Access Issue: Climbing Regulations/Seasonal Raptor Closures
Details
The Joshua Tree National Park Superintendent's Compendium states that:
1. Vegetation is not allowed to be used as an anchor.
2. Only neutral or rock colored bolt hangers are allowed.
For a complete list of climbing rules and closures visit:
nps.gov/jotr/planyourvisit/…
Description
Step up off the blocky slab and try to get some good pro in the semi mealy crack (maybe set a couple of pieces well). Pull on them, um, uhh, or climb past them and pro it up in the cracks above, finally turning the steep face over to the lower angle crack to slab.
Climb up slab to a promising corner system, place gear, and up ya go on kinda gritty rock (take care!). Save a cam/nut or two for the top of the formation for a belay anchor (medium cams worked well).
Note: this climb is rated 5.9 in the guidebook, but, we found a 5.8 A0 option available at the start, and, happily took it. Route is a bit sandy (sand baggy?).
Poor feet on crumbly holds adds some stinky.
Name of route probably modified from the original, which, can be had with minimal imagination. Meow! Poor Ben, what did he do to deserve all this? Ha ha.
Location
Located just right (east) of the main Great Burrito formation. Follow the east edge of the main face of the Great Burrito up, jogging to the right up through some boulders, to gain the start of the route. Look for the short juggy face on the block (with a right facing corner) of the 5.4 route "Up the Down Staircase": this route starts just 30 feet right.
Look for the short, steep crack which starts off a four foot high slab below the route.
Walk and down climb to the east (climber's right) of the route.
Protection
Standard rack.
No fixed gear, no anchors on top.
[Hide Photo] Start of the Stinky Wet Kitty
[Hide Photo] Top of the Stinky Wet Kitty. Take care on the final slab moves...