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Worth Bagley was Soft

5.8, Trad, TR, 40 ft (12 m),  Avg: 2.3 from 21 votes
FA: Tristan Burnham
California > Los Angeles Basin > Angeles Nationa… > Highway 2 (Ange… > Fictitioua Tree > Fictitioua Tree Rock

Description

In the wild west days of ranching and gold mining in J Tree, Bill Keys and Worth Bagley had an argument and settled it like men and Bill Keys murdered Bagly and then made a sign telling everyone he killed Mr. Bagley because he was being a bitch. Now almost 70 years later the world is filled with softies who need a safe space. Don't be bitch like Bagley and climb this route.

Probably the best route here. Head up the crack, place a cam down low in the crack and then with gear down below your feet pull up and over the flake and finish up an off width crack placing more gear to the top. 

Location

Right at the corner of the crag by a downed burnt tree.

Protection

Light rack. Bolted anchor. Don't put cams behind the flake.

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

Jack M. on the start of Worth Bagley (May 2020)
[Hide Photo] Jack M. on the start of Worth Bagley (May 2020)
Tristan leading the FA
[Hide Photo] Tristan leading the FA
Chris Sovich leading Worth Bagley was a Bitch
[Hide Photo] Chris Sovich leading Worth Bagley was a Bitch
Nice line
[Hide Photo] Nice line

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

Joey Li
Los Angeles, CA
 
[Hide Comment] Super fun route. Upper flake is extremely loose, as the route description says don't place any pro behind it as it'd probably blow the flake. Moves to gain the final OW section via the flake are very secure anyway. Jul 12, 2020
Max Melin
Los Angeles, CA
 
[Hide Comment] The flake felt fine to pull on as you mantle over it, but yea I wouldn't put a cam back there... Pro is solid before and after the flake. A really fun couple of offwidth moves to gain the summit. Jul 13, 2020
Ally McBeal
[Hide Comment] Worth Bagley was a former law enforcement officer. He may have been a bit of a loose cannon, but he wasn't a bitch.
Bagley was shot and killed by Bill Keys on May 11, 1943. Keys served 5.5 years of a 10 year sentence before being pardoned and returning to his desert home in Joshua Tree, CA. Oct 30, 2021
Tristan Burnham
La Crescenta, CA
  5.8+
[Hide Comment] Ally, nah Bagley was pretty soft. Oct 30, 2021
John Achenbach
Los Angeles, CA
5.9
[Hide Comment] Upper flake was not, in my experience, extremely loose - but wouldn't want to hang a truck off of it. Dec 27, 2023
SoCal Choss
[Hide Comment] youtube.com/watch?v=g6h99HN…

^ cool little nine minute video on WF Keys and Bagley Jan 28, 2024
John Achenbach
Los Angeles, CA
5.9
[Hide Comment] This is the route you came here to climb. Great crack, and some huff-and-puff in the "deep offwidth" at the top. Climbed it via TR solo, took. Felt at least 5.9+. Apr 28, 2024
Mike Toffey
Yosemite/Lone Pine, CA
  5.8
[Hide Comment] I think the original name was way sicker haha. Worth Bagley Was a Bitch! Mountain Project is soft. My 2nd or 3rd fav climb at this sweet little spot. Dec 12, 2024