Cryptic is significantly steeper and a bit more strenuous than the SW Corner, but by going up the right side of Headstone's south face, it stays over the ground and thus lacks SW Corner's incredible exposure.

Nevertheless, it's a fun, well-protected, straight-up line in an amazing location.  Not ready to lead it?  The bolts up top are perfectly set up to TR this route, if you can manage to beat the crowds (much easier said than done).

Cryptic

The Cutting Edge

Headmaster

Headbanger's Ball

South Face Center

SW Corner

This route climbs the south face of Headstone Rock between Cryptic and the Southwest Corner. Good climbing on vertical edges, but not on par with it's neighbors due to position and lack of exposure. It remains a TR for those reasons as well as the fact that bolts would detract from the nearby classics.

Don't want to give it away in case you are going for the "pure" onsight, but the route is very thin hands, delicate feet, with a few bulges to overcome. It is probably the most intriguing line on the rock, and can be quite fun to watch someone work the moves.

This route is on the north side of Headstone Rock, the side you rap off, and climbs somewhat diagonally up and right across the face on small holds and lots of difficult moves. Seldom done.

There used to be a bolt ladder up this face, but after the route was toproped free, the FA party decided it wasn't needed and chopped it. There was some controversy afterwards and some people to this day feel it should have been left. Perhaps if it was still intact the recent Three Amigos debacle would not have transpired? Something to think about.

This not often done route takes a line up and through the roof formed by Headstone Rock, left of the route

SW Corner

(5.6).

Awesome setting, great summit, big air underneath you. This is a great climb. It's popular, and there's often a line, but it's still well worth doing. As soon as you hit the corner past the second bolt, it's like there's no one else around but you and a hundred feet of air. The crux is negotiating your way over a small bulge above the second bolt -- the holds are there and bomber, though, so fire away!! This is one climb that I intend to come back and do again, many times.For excellent photo ops, set a friend up with a camera on the sloping rock that faces the south face.

Description

Protection

Routes in Headstone Rock