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Satori

5.9, Sport, 100 ft (30 m),  Avg: 3.1 from 25 votes
FA: Bob Ordner and Eric Barrett
Washington > Northeast Corne… > Spokane Area > Rocks of Sharon > Big Rock > W Face

Description

Climb slabby, fun moves to a prominent ledge with a tree/bush, which can also be accessed by scrambling from the left.  At this point you're facing the thin crux of the route, just above the ledge.  You do not want to fall here. After this, romp for a bit until you can engage the flake system that has a few suspect holds.  Move up and then hard right through the flakes until you find a path upward.  One more bulge with a single bolt takes you to the anchor, above and to the left.

Location

West Face of Big Rock, to the left of a chimney (the chimney is an alternate route called "Small But Fancy"). You'll climb to a ledge with a small tree/bush and then it's straight up!

Protection

All bolted.  Two alpine draws are essential (a couple more are better) to limit rope drag high on the pitch.

Note: This route is not well-suited for top roping due to rope drag. 

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

Bob Ordner working through the crux on Satori, July 2019
[Hide Photo] Bob Ordner working through the crux on Satori, July 2019
Bob Ordner working up towards the upper bolt of the crux on Satori, July 2019
[Hide Photo] Bob Ordner working up towards the upper bolt of the crux on Satori, July 2019
Satori, route is dead center with the last section going up the left side flake and traverses right near the top most brow. The chimney on the right is an alternate pitch called Small But Fancy.
[Hide Photo] Satori, route is dead center with the last section going up the left side flake and traverses right near the top most brow. The chimney on the right is an alternate pitch called Small But Fancy.

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

[Hide Comment] Fun climb. Just watch out when lowering. A 60 meter rope will get you near the ground but you have to down climb a move. Jun 29, 2016
Keely Coxon
Seattle, WA
 
[Hide Comment] Interesting climb, I bailed on my initial attempt because I couldn't find my next bolt in the fading light at sunset. Things get run out further up and it felt sketchy at the time. Climbed it again the next morning and found the bolt I was looking for originally, thanks to some beta from my partners.

Be very careful on the higher ledge. As previously mentioned, a fall from there would not be ideal. Oct 28, 2017
[Hide Comment] Rock quality isn't the best on the upper section of this route. A fall after even after clipping the bolt above the ledge would most likely result in a ledge clip. Be solid on the grade and enjoy a long pitch. Aug 16, 2019
z t
Spokane, WA
  5.9
[Hide Comment] Take caution on the low crux, there is a very real ledge fall potential. Dec 17, 2020