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Rauch Factor

5.10c, Trad, 90 ft (27 m),  Avg: 3.6 from 122 votes
FA: FA Kevin Rauch. FFA John Stewart, Jason Frick, Kevin Rauch, 2-3-07
Washington > South-W & Tacoma > Columbia Gorge > Ozone > (6) Shield Wall

Description

Right on the arete next to the MD Route. This is probably one of the super classics of the area. The climb starts in a corner, busts out to an arete and then continues up the sweet face. The moves up top are really fun; make you wish it would go forever.

Location

On the arete next to the MD Route.

Protection

Mostly bolts. You definitely need to bring some gear. Gear from 0.5 to 1 camalot should be enough. I did not place any, but there are some good nut placements as well.

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

Rauch Factor
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Rauch Factor - upper section
[Hide Photo] Rauch Factor - upper section
FA
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Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

bryans
  5.10c
[Hide Comment] Kevin's last name is Rauch, and this John Stewart (FA-ist) route was a classic from the get-go. Apr 20, 2010
Ian G.
PDX, OR
  5.10b/c
[Hide Comment] Thanks, I fixed it. A very good route! May 4, 2010
George Zack
Orting, WA
[Hide Comment] I placed two large nuts shortly above the arete, and a finger-sized nut above the little stump. Very solid placements. Jun 16, 2015
Kev
  5.11a
[Hide Comment] Thanks for all the work yesterday on this route John. I think this route is solid 10.d. It is harder than any other 10.b or 10.c at the zone imo. Awesome route. Jul 13, 2015
Topher Dabrowski
Portland, OR
  5.10c
[Hide Comment] Great Ozone endurance route.
BD 0.2-0.75 cams and QDs Sep 10, 2015
Matt Freie
[Hide Comment] Really enjoyable route. Sustained 5.10c climbing with some adequate rest spots. Placed a small nut above the arete between the 4th and 5th bolts and a .75 cam between 5th and 6th bolts. Apr 23, 2018
Ryan Silagy
Portland, OR
 
[Hide Comment] Classic Apr 25, 2019
Ryan Westby
Portland, OR
  5.10c
[Hide Comment] 90 ft of sustained 5.10 climbing makes for one of my favorite climbs at Ozone. May 25, 2020
Will Maness
Bend, OR
  5.10c
[Hide Comment] Got on this line because it looked cool - and it was! I had read about there being several "mixed" routes out here, and
about halfway up I realized I was on one of them. I easily could have bailed to the anchors on the adjacent route, but I decided to continue questing up in the spirit of adventure. I had a great time, and others with a similar level of experience would be fine on this route with only a rack of draws. YMMV. Apr 21, 2025
Ben S
Portland, OR
  5.10b
[Hide Comment] First rate. Quintessential Ozone route. A fantastic combination of technique, stamina, and strategy. Safe and I feel like not one move is harder than 10a, perhaps everything together makes it 10c. Nov 9, 2025