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Lateral Force

5.10c, Trad, 80 ft (24 m),  Avg: 2 from 2 votes
FA: Gary Olsen, Stuart Ruckman, Bret Ruckman, 1986
Utah > Wasatch Range > Central Wasatch > Big Cottonwood… > Challenge Buttress > E Face

Description

The Ruckmans in their 1998 guide gave this route an “R,” recommended RPs and TCUs, and gave it no stars. From the ground, the line looked to be but an intermittent seam, overhanging near it’s top, and endowed with an unusual amount of BCC chunk (choss, but bigger).  Curiosity overcame common sense and, armed with all the latest micro-gear, I recently got on it and … it was mine-field scary, including yarding over a several hundred pound detached block (Gary, damn man, what did you have for breakfast that morning?). But the movement was really cool. Long story short, a half-day of cleaning has created one of the best 5.10 trad routes in the area with ample opportunities for pro. There will still be some relatively minor choss, but with just a little more love this’ll be as solid – and in my view as good – as Psychobabble.

So, the description: Climb the crack system just around the corner to the right of Deltoid Force.  From crack's end, go straight up to hidden anchors (shared with Deltoid Force).  The route faces north so rarely gets full sun.

Location

Start from the ledge described for Deltoid Force.

Protection

Healthy selection of micronuts (I was glad to have two sets, one of offsets) and nuts to finger-size, and cams to a No. 1 Camalot. Rappel (60m) back to the ledge from the anchors.

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

Fighting the pump after the crux on Lateral Force.  Wicks photo.
[Hide Photo] Fighting the pump after the crux on Lateral Force. Wicks photo.

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

[Hide Comment] Gary Olsen + the Ruckmans do it again! No stars left it rarely touched for 20+ years, waiting for Steiger's tenacious cleaning skills to rebirth another classic.
"As good as Psychobabble" = The best 5.10 gear lead in BCC = can't wait to do it. Jul 2, 2019
Past User
  5.10d PG13
[Hide Comment] A serious lead- a good route to keep your mind sharp. Even with the obvious careful cleaning this was spooky for me. If there was any more chunk on this the whole thing might be in the talus slope below. Double sets of brass nuts and tiny cams is no exaggeration. I didn't use anything larger than a .5 camalot. Touch of Teflon made a nice approach pitch to the starting belay ledge if you are okay with a 15 foot 5.9 run-out left of it's chains. A 70 m rope stretching rappel puts you on the ground in one rap from the top if you angle left at the finish. I would group this route in with Thin Slice of Time (but a bit harder) in terms of BCC comparative trad routes. Thanks for cleaning and opening this one up JS! Aug 17, 2019