Jug Monkey
5.9,
Trad, 80 ft (24 m),
Avg: 1.7 from 3
votes
FA: Mike Laden & Tucker Tech - 1989
California
> Yosemite NP
> Yosemite Valley
> Lower Merced Ri…
> An. Cascade Area
> Cascade Falls - Left
Access Issue: Latest updates on closures, permits, and regulations.
Details
Please visit
climbingyosemite.com/ and
nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/… for the latest information on visiting Yosemite, including permits, regulations, and closure information.
Yosemite National Park has yearly closures for Peregrine Falcon Protection March 1- July 15. Always check the NPS website at
nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/… for the most current details and park alerts, and to learn more about the peregrine falcon, and how closures help it survive. This page also shares closures and warnings due to current fires, smoke, etc.
Description
Mike Laden teamed up with Tucker Tech during Tucker's productive first ascent year of 1989 to produce this nice little line at Cascade Falls Left. While not as impressive as Crimson Cringe, Fish Crack, Free Press, or Golden Needles, Jug Monkey is a seldom climbed fun line worthy of addition to your Cascade repertoire.
Begin by climbing easy knobs. Before you know it, you will be looking down at the ground below thinking it would be nice to have some pro. Not to worry, an inverted flake just above offers solid cam placements. Sink in a cam or two and continue climbing up and left over face holds and knobs, slinging all of them you can until you reach a bolt. Don Reid's topo shows the crux just below the bolt, but the difficulty of this climb peaks while mantling a knob above and way right of the bolt (.9). This is an exciting move that can take a little time to build up the nerve to make. I felt that the bolt placement was odd being way out left, but having it a ways away just adds to the excitement of the pitch. After the mantle, breathe a sigh of relief and clip the anchors with a smile.
Location
While looking at Fish Crack, turn left and walk past Mud Shark, turn the toe of the buttress, walk uphill. It will be the first climb reached. Look for the knobby face in the shade of the pine trees.
Protection
Slings, a small selection of cams, and one quick draw. One rope.
Fresno, CA