[Hide Comment] Originally The Thang was done as an alternative 3rd pitch to Iron Man, but the cliff has changed a bunch in that area so it is usually done as Lee described now. The mantel onto the sloping ledge was the crux for me, though the lower one before the flake is kind of weird.

There was an anchor, but it came down with the massive rockfall of a few years ago. I hope to get up there and put a new top on this, but am waiting for bolts and an opportune time when I can clean loose rocks without killing anybody.

Where you break left off of Rock du Jour it is protected by 1/2" Rawl bolts instead of glue-ins. Jul 9, 2013

[Hide Comment] I climbed up directly from Goldmember so i didn't see the bolts down there...
It does look like there could be a cool pitch or finish above the ledge there... neat section of cliff... i wish i paid more attention before so much of it fell down... Jul 9, 2013

[Hide Comment] Is there potential for cutting left and finishing up the 3rd pitch to Iron Man (on gear) and belaying from Steel Curtain's anchors? Jul 10, 2013

[Hide Comment] the top of IronMan is where much of the loose rock needs to be cleaned and the anchors are trash. I remember pulling one of the rotten pins out when I swung over on rappel and grabbed it. I'm not sure how it would be to get to the Steel Curtain anchors, but they put you hanging out in space and you wouldn't have draws on the route to tram in. Once everything is checked with a big bar, new anchors might be shared by the two routes, or the Thang may finish by undercling traversing the roof at the top towards the right. Jul 10, 2013

[Hide Comment] I found one of the former anchors attached to a small car sized rock not very far from the shortcut trail this weekend. Amazingly it hadn't been bent or dinged at all. The rock must have been flying to get down that far, over all the large boulders in the way. At some point in its travels the portion with the second bolt split away and I was unable to find it. I left it there, if anyone wants to see it, so I could come back with my camera, but I will recover the good parts for the new anchor :)) (assuming they really are in good shape of course) It is just uphill a bit from the first really big boulder on your right as you walk down the trail. If you look around you can see a bunch of more fresh big blocks from the fall. Jul 17, 2013

[Hide Comment] "Access the route by climbing rock du jours 1st pitch but breaking left to an anchor on the big ledge"
How hard is this mini pitch? How's the protection? Most of the "Gold" climbs kick my ass :). I like to get a closer look at the carnage from years ago. And maybe even do this mini route what is left of The Thang. Nov 22, 2015

[Hide Comment] Soon, the left branch off of RDJ is about the same grade, maybe slightly harder, so possibly 5.8. There is a little bit of a reachy move to a juggy horizontal to clip the last bolt before moving left to the anchor. The Thang is still 10c since it is the same, just no anchor, a little awkward to start then burly since it is so steep, but on good incuts. Nov 22, 2015

[Hide Comment] Thanks Mark. Good to know. I like to do this little adventure next year. I will bring along two steel bines to leave on The Thang. I assume there are leaver draws or just aluminum biners up there now. Nov 22, 2015

[Hide Comment] We left a sweet Bonatti D lightweight biner (vintage 1970s) on the top bolt. Nov 7, 2020