From the true summit, just walk west to the beginning of this exposed third and fourth class ridge. It's short, but the rock is solid, the exposure grand, and the views are spectacular.

After a fourth class move or two to get on the ridge, the ridge can be followed almost all the way to the west "summit" like a sidewalk in the sky. Alternately, you can drop to one side or another if you'd prefer an opportunity to use some hands.

West Ridge

Curious George Goes to the Park

The cliff looks like a giant jumble, so describing the route is a challenge; perhaps the photos will help. Generally, the climb follows weaknesses up to what looks from the base like the notch between the right and the center towers at the skyline (the “towers” are illusory).

P1: Up furrows, trending left to a short headwall that gains a ramp/corner that heads up and back right. (200’)

P2: Up and a little left to an orange face of impeccable rock bounded on its left by a shallow, left-facing corner. Up the corner and orange face to an adequate stance. (200’)

P3: Up; then head up and left, looking for gear and a stance in right-facing corners. A short pitch; the objective is to keep your belayer protected from rockfall. Some loose rock on this pitch that would clean up with traffic/gardening. (80’)

P4: Arc up and right to the weakness in the overhanging headwall. Up. (200’)

P5: Continue up to the ridge. (60’)

300 feet of 3rd/4th class, climber’s left (east) along the ridge (the West Ridge route) will return you to terra firma.

Description

Location

Protection

Routes in West Face