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Tying the Knot

5.7, Trad, TR, 45 ft (14 m),  Avg: 2.5 from 4 votes
FA: unknown
Virginia > Shenandoah & NW… > Shenandoah NP > S District > Chimney Rock

Description

Follow the shoulder-deep fist-to-thin hands crack to the narrow ledge 8 feet below the top of the rock. Traverse a step left to pull a few finger jams to the top.

Location

The route runs up a free-standing pillar of rock. The easiest approach from the end of the trail is to scramble down into the slots among the rocks and exit right (northeast) from the slot that separates the pillar from the rest of the rocky outcropping. Follow the wall left to find this north-facing wall (it's in the shade all day).

Descent: scramble off the south side of the pillar into the approach route.

Protection

Standard rack of cams and stoppers. While the crack is fist-sized for more than half the route, there are plenty of fissures to the right of the crack to slot stoppers or small cams.

It is also possible to scramble to the top of the pillar from the trail side (south) to build a TR anchor, if that's your flavor.

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

Classy butt shot of my lead in a webbing harness.
[Hide Photo] Classy butt shot of my lead in a webbing harness.
Follow the wide crack straight to the top.
[Hide Photo] Follow the wide crack straight to the top.
Mark seconding the route.
[Hide Photo] Mark seconding the route.

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

[Hide Comment] I proposed to my wife at the top before climbing it and then led it in a harness tied from 1" webbing (forgot my harness at the cabin) - hence the name. Nov 22, 2014
Aaron Parlier
Boone, NC
[Hide Comment] Awesome stuff Michael! Nov 23, 2014