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Not So Sweet

5.8, Trad, 85 ft (26 m),  Avg: 2.7 from 12 votes
FA: Vernon Phinney, Mike Lewis, 1987 ground up
S Dakota > Needles Of Rush… > Mt Rushmore Nat… > S Seas > Shipyard Rock
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Description

A bit of an awkward adventure climb, and it should be approached in that spirit. Steep climbing up a monster flake begins this interesting,varied, and physical route. There is a middle transition section with some funky body positions (I remember ending up riding a big cylinder shaped ledge in a manner reminiscent of the movie Dr Strangelove). The route ended with a weird slightly overhanging face section (crux) where your body was half in and half and out of a chimney. A big bonus for the effort involved is a gorgeous summit with a great view of the surrounding South Seas formations. Not a ton of non-wide gear and placing and cleaning what was there was somewhat challenging. The Burr and Busse guide rates this route 5.6. That seems, at least by current notions, severely sandbagged. Both the very strong crack climber that I followed up this and myself ( a gym and outdoor sport climber who doesn't like cracks all that much), thought a grade in the 5.8 range was appropriate. We'll see what other people think.

Location

Up the 4th class gully from the W.This goes up over (from behind it) Nutra Sweet (5.11). Nutra Sweet is effectively the rap line for Not So Sweet. Single rope rap to the ground.

Protection

Gear, 0.75 to #5, nuts (the recent guide book says only to #3 but your "adventure factor" will be greater w/o some big gear in the #4-#5 range)

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

Wilson On The Drums
Woodbury, MN
[Hide Comment] Not 5.6. I backed down on this climb for not having any big gear. It was really awkward and seemed really committing without some big cams. Jul 10, 2015
Mark Orsag
Omaha, NE
  5.8
[Hide Comment] WOD, curious as to what you would rate it? Jul 10, 2015
Wilson On The Drums
Woodbury, MN
[Hide Comment] Dunno. i didn't have any big gear, which is what i needed to feel safe. i backed down and never finished the route. Jul 11, 2015
Jeff Moon
Murrieta, CA
 
[Hide Comment] Its a tad run-out if you don't have anything bigger than a #3. I had a few moments of thinking "this is 5.6?" I'd say 5.8 is appropriate. Nov 12, 2015
Jess Arnold
SLC
  5.8
[Hide Comment] This is a strange, albeit fun little route that rides the line between a large offwidth/chimney and outward movement on thin face moves. I hopped on this as a beginning trad leader in 2017, drawn by the grade and proximity to the campground and got my ass handed to me. Came back a year later after learning how to crack climb and with several more leads under my belt... needless to say, it felt just as strange but went much more smoothly. Was able to place a #4, though you don't absolutely need it. Felt a pretty solid 5.8 to me. Sep 10, 2018