Solitaire

For the grade, Solitaire stands out as one of Flagstaff's better sport routes and one of the most beautiful. I named it Solitaire as it was the only obvious diamond in the rough on what was then a pretty scruffy, chossy, and overgrown wall. It was the establishment of this line which spurred the eventual development of the whole crag. Things certainly do change over time.

Start by a small Juniper tree on the right side of the squaty, chossy pillar 30’ up hill from Man on the Moon. Climb through a large weakness filled with jugs to the first bulge. Clever stemming, a hand jam, and a little laybacking will see you through to a good shake below the roof.

Once you get your bearings, you will be entering the crux as you begin to move out and right under the roof. The crux is bouldery, and you are indeed heading towards the Black Diamond hold, which is that rather pointy undercling flake.

At this point, The Black Solitaire breaks off right, while Solitaire moves up and left climbing on the left margin of the black streak. Eventually the grade backs off so enjoy the solitude as you work your way up the next 40' of stunning vertical stone.

You can rappel down Solitaire after the second pitch of Man on the Moon to hang draws or retrieve them. One 40’ rap, then a 100’ from Solitaire’s anchor to the ground. About 8’ down the first short rappel is a triangular notch with a crack that gets choked with small pebbles and dirt from water run off. This notch holds fast to snow and ice subjecting it to daily freeze thaw cycles. If you are projecting either Solitaire or Black Solitaire during the snowy months, you may want to clean out the crack in this notch to allow for proper drainage and faster drying times.

Left hand side of the black streaks.