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Hell in a Handbasket

5.10c, Sport, 120 ft (36 m),  Avg: 2.5 from 17 votes
FA: Mike Strassman
Arizona > Southern Arizona > Cochise Stronghold > W Stronghold > Isle of Ewe > Trad Rock

Description

Very fun route with a little of everything. I'm surprised this route doesn't get as much traffic as some of the other routes on this wall. Maybe because of the over-rating in the guide books(?).

Scramble up to first bolt then continue up through balancy crux to second bolt. Follow sustained mild 10 climbing to no hands rest then up through bulge 10c finish. Route goes over three fairly distinct bulge sections, the hardest of which being the last. After the last bulge, a scramble takes you up to the anchor which is shared with Ass Over Teacup.

Good route for those working through leading 10s. The cruxes are well protected and there are lots of nice rests.

Location

First route to the right of OK Corral. It is the left-most of the two in the alcove between OK Corral and the left facing dihedral.

Protection

Very well bolted from about 30 feet on up. Some generous spacing between the first few bolts so folks not solid on 5.10 be aware!

The route can be rapped with a 70m but you may have to swing over to a boulder to the left; knot the ends!! A top rope from the [shared] anchor would have a lot of rope drag. Instead, it's possible to use two 36" or 42" slings on two bolts (one borrowed from Ass Over Teacup) at the last bulge to make a top rope anchor. This can then be cleaned by continuing (leading) up to the anchor then rapping to either OK Corral anchor (with 60m) or to base (70m).

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

Off we go!!
[Hide Photo] Off we go!!
Nate A leading Hell in a Handbasket.
[Hide Photo] Nate A leading Hell in a Handbasket.

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

Shirtless Mike
Denver, CO
 
[Hide Comment] I'd say this one doesn't see much traffic due to the generous spacing between the first three bolts. Feels like you would come pretty close to the ground if you fell getting to the second or third bolt. Above the third bolt the route is well protected in all the harder sections. Jan 6, 2015
Daryl Allan
Sierra Vista, AZ
  5.10c
[Hide Comment] You make a good point.. description updated. Jan 6, 2015
Nick Henscheid
Tucson, AZ
  5.10c
[Hide Comment] Pretty darn fun in my opinion, a full 35 meters of technical, steep climbing. Don't let the first three bolts keep you away if you're a solid 10- leader, too. While they certainly get your attention, they're placed logically - if you fall mid-move you're totally fine (bolt at your feet, clean fall), and you're going to be clipping from a nice no-hands resting stance. Get on it! Jan 21, 2019