Type: Trad, 600 ft (182 m), 4 pitches, Grade II
GPS: 48.15921, -121.61707
FA: Greyell, Whitelaw, Packard 2003
Page Views: 1,950 total · 13/month
Shared By: Curt Veldhuisen on Mar 1, 2014
Admins: Jon Nelson, Zachary Winters, Mitchell McAuslan

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Description Suggest change

Penny Lane is a high quality 4-pitch slab climb that is seriously overshadowed by its esteemed neighbors (Total Soul and Silent Running), but is also excellent. Each successive pitch get’s a bit steeper and more difficult as you get more comfortable making those delicate slab moves. The fourth pitch ties into Total Soul, so you can add on more 5.10 climbing. 

The route starts to the right and above the start of Total Soul - see topo. The first belay can be reached directly by unprotected slab climbing or, more safely, by a leftward traverse from the first belay of Revolver via Silent Running.

Pitch 1 (5.7) The warm-up pitch, with moderate (5.7) slab climbing past 5 bolts.

Pitch 2 (5.8 PG) Left and up past four bolts to a small horizontal overlap. Place a small cam, step over and run it out on 5.8 slab to 2 more bolts and the belay. A great pitch and slightly spicy for the grade.

Pitch 3 (5.10a) is fabulous, with sustained climbing up scoops past many (9?) bolts. Scoops get progressively slopier, shifting gradually from 5.8 to a bit of 5.10 before the chains.

Pitch 4 (5.10c) heads left and up steeper ground on sweet little knobs to a distinctive black friction slab (10b). From there, traverse leftward to the fourth belay of Total Soul. The last few moves around a bulge are the crux of the route (10c), with excellent bolt placement. Others tell me there are small holds for the traverse, though I couldn't find them.

Descend: Double-rope rappels down Penny Lane or Total Soul.

Location Suggest change

North Buttress of Three O Clock Rock. Approach options described above.

Protection Suggest change

Entirely bolts, aside from the overlap on pitch 2. Rack with 10 draws and a few cams to 2.5”. Belays have double bolts and chains.

Photos

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