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Dream of Wild Tryptophan

5.9+ PG13, Trad, 200 ft (61 m), 2 pitches,  Avg: 3 from 1 vote
FA: JB Bettis Karasu Tokioka, April 2022
Arizona > Northern Arizona > Oak Creek Canyon > Insomnia Canyon > Insomnia West

Description

Route climbs a long ramp with beautiful red-rock-like patina and stone. It then continues up the system to gain the larger ledge. 

Rap 1: from chains down to right. Small ledge with bolts & chains. On the right wall.

Rap 2: to the pincushion ledge, bolted anchor.

Pitch 1

- Enjoy the awesome rock as you work up the ramp, placing small cams all the way up. More often than not, you’ll find yourself coasting up the arete jugs. 

Pitch 2

- Take off from the belay, clip that bolt, and work your way up. A bit of heady climbing will take you to the final, slightly overhung section. Stem your way to the top.

Location

From Forest Road 778, navigate to Buckhead Point on the west side of Insomnia. At the northeast side of the parking area, hike down between the limestone layer.

You have two approach options:

Option 1: Rappel In from the top of Late Onset Insomnia

  • Hike down to the top of the sport pitch, Late Onset Insomnia.

  • Rappel the single pitch on chains, or fix a rope: GPS coordinates: 34.997321, -111.782044

  • On exit, you can either:

    • Hike out,

    • Climb the 5.12 sport pitch, or

    • Jug out on your fixed rope.

Option 2: Handline Descent

  • A committing approach involving some exposed scrambling.

  • You'll hand-over-hand down sections of vertical rock (approx. 10 ft each).

  • The handline begins at a tree GPS coordinates: 34.997630, -111.782380

  • Follow the handline down, then continue via cairns.

Both approaches converge on a large lower ledge system. Follow cairns to another handline (tied to a pine tree) and descend through bushy terrain until you reach a pine tree about 15 ft from the cliff edge.

  • Top of the route coordinates: 34.997393, -111.780653

Rap the route with a 70m.

Protection

70m rope

doubles
000 c3 - #2 C4 (extras in C3s are welcome and you will surely be happy to place them when the crack thins up once or twice).
1 #3 C4
1 #4 C4 for P2.

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

Topo. Photo take by Nelson Klein https://nelsonklein.com/
[Hide Photo] Topo. Photo take by Nelson Klein https://nelsonklein.com/
JB following P1
[Hide Photo] JB following P1
JB Following P1
[Hide Photo] JB Following P1
Leading P1. You'll notice a second rope, the fixed rappel line we were using
[Hide Photo] Leading P1. You'll notice a second rope, the fixed rappel line we were using
Karasu Following P2, note how it gets a bit overhung towards the end
[Hide Photo] Karasu Following P2, note how it gets a bit overhung towards the end
JB leading P2
[Hide Photo] JB leading P2
Looking down on Pitch 1
[Hide Photo] Looking down on Pitch 1