La Ballena

"Call me Ishmael..." and resist the urge to call "take!". La Ballena is a seaworthy adventure up a proud prow of stone, where gravity is your white whale and flailing is part of the fun.

Embark on a technical opening sequence that rewards careful footwork and clever beta. Then, brace yourself for the main event: a bulging roof that gives the route its name for all but the most skilled of maritime climbers. Overcome it— often with equal parts commitment and comedy, a heroic flounder over the lip like a landlocked leviathan.

Survive the heave-ho, and you’ll be greeted by a crack system that shifts in size and character—inviting a medley of jams and other movement that will let you ride the wave to the anchors with style (or just hang on for dear life, Ahab).

Like most routes at the area, climb carefully and wear a helmet as the rock will likely continue to exfoliate until there are multiple ascents despite an abundance of cleaning. 

Farthest left side of the area, just beyond Converso and Inquisition and Coand the other routes on the far left side. Look for brown camouflaged bolts, name written on the base.

The route ascends the obvious pillar with a large hand crack bisecting it, which is apparent as you descend into the area on the trail. 

13 bolts (?) to SS quick lower carabiners. 1 perma draw cable at the roof. Could lead on gear from the roof to the anchors if you're feeling "fishy" and confident in the area's rock (and for some reason carried a rack to this area...)