Heather Hayes follows the crux pitch of Kingpin (i...
Description
This is a great line that links some prominent features up the steep section left of the Great Roof. This line gives a taste of everything. Technical stemming, splitter jamming, exposed face wandering, and cruiser giant corner at the top.
Pitch 1. Scramble up and into a left facing dihedral via cracks and ramps to belay on perch. Pitch 2. The gear on this pitch is small maybe PG13. Technical (burly) stemming and some thin gear will take you up to a point just below a roof, gear belay. This pitch felt hard, as all the 5.10s here do. Pitch 3. Cruise up the crack to where it ends and traverse left to a small ledge and a bolt. When we were on the thing that was all there was. Would be nice to update that sections a bit with belay bolts. Pitch 4. Climb up past bolt and shelf working left moving past occasional gear placements, heading towards the big break above. Move left some more and scramble up to the base of the large dihedral. This pitch gets 5.9. Very exposed, exciting pitch. Pitch 5. Work your way past large features in the corner to the top. A fun pitch and a great way to finish a spectacular route.
In 1976/77 I did this wild route with Stan Mish. I remember it being really stiff but harder mentally than physically. I also remember being glad that Stan led what I considered the run out crux pitch. The "pro" on that face (pre springs and micro gear)was mostly humorous in a not funny kind of way. The only retreat from that lead would have been a screamer. That was a stressful belay but a beautiful lead. Stan had that goofy grin and those nerves of steel. Stan thought we might be doing a 2nd ascent and that gave the climb a mysterious feel. Very cool climb.
Actually I think Karl led the crux pitch on the FFA (impressive as he's a big guy and had a rep as fat crack climber).
By ccmski From: Prescott, AZ Nov 5, 2009 rating: 5.10 PG13
As of a few weeks ago, there were bats hanging out in the flake above the belay on the 4th (face) pitch. I heard them and was nervous about shoving my fingers in there- my belayer said once I moved past, 5 flew out. Just a heads up.
Also- with micro camming units and micro stoppers the crux stemming pitch protects well. I would say the PG-13 would be on the face pitch- if you blow the crux reach move your last pro is a long way down and to the side. A fall here might bounce you off the sloping belay ledge- I don't know for sure and don't want to find out either!
Also, linking the crux corner with the pitch above is doable and recommended
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