Better than Bitter 

Thought it was little harder than a .10b.Must do!

Here is the beta from the FA. At the ledge near the end of the climb, there are two options. 1) Stay left using the ledge 5.10c 2) Stay right---more in line with the bolts. 5.10d. I did the straight line and will stick with my 5.10b rating.

Hi,This route follows a very similar line to a route done ground up, no bolts in about 1985 or so, by yours truly. Check out the Guide it is called Split Seam. Doesnt look exactly like it but kind of squeezed. Just thought you should know.

Yeah, this is probably one of my FAVORITE climbs in BCC.

It is a flip-flop approach...
Rarely too busy...since most only do Winky...
Longish, despite the ledge above Winky...
Big, overhung moves on big tonka holds...
Still gets me pumped eventhough I could tell you that there are approximately 6 different chalked up holds near the top (right) crux that you don't even need to touch...

Yeah...do it!

Oh, and you might as well make it a link-up with Winky's for some added bonus...

Oh x2...esteemed Gary Olsen: my take is that Split Seam is actually a bit to the right (about 10 feet) and first follows the corner/crack of the tower that forms 'Diminishing Returns', tops out past these anchors and transfers back to the main wall via some really steep, really positive climbing into a discontinuous crack system and right facing corner. then, it makes some big moves up and right, through an awesome hand/horizontal crack and finishes at the tight hands/finger crack in the roof. This climb is also about 10 feet left of Pins and Knickers (even the direct line that doesn't start next to hollow man). I'm not sure as I wasn't even climbing 20 years ago, but if you were following any type of natural pro line with 'Split Seam', you probably climbed well right of this route.

Dont take my previous comments as a negative on this route. Certainly seems like this route is fun and popular; whereas, split seam was a scare fest.

oh come on...I beg to differ!

Split Seam (or at least the trad line that is to the right of 'Better Than Bitter') is awesome! I have done it a handful of times now and it is always a blast.

Except if you choose to top-out to the right. Following the crack up and right is really fun movement, and hard...but it is scary!!!!

I just went and checked out the chains at the top of this climb and noticed that each hanger has a long rapide attached to them. The south hanger has a rapide that goes right over the edge which seems like it would create a bit of leverage to pull out the bolt, also the nut on the bolt was loose or at least not tightened all the way down. Anyone else notice this? I'm not a bolter but maybe it would have been better to put the hangers on the face? Or maybe just attach a smaller rapide to the hanger.

I noticed that the last bolt hanger was VERY loose. I hand tightened it as much as I could. If you are planning on doing this route soon, maybe bring a wrench and tighten that thing down. If no one has by the time I get back there, then I will.

Awesome Climb. One of the best low sport 10's in the canyon! The last bolt is still a spinner. I will be returning shortly for the redpoint and will tighten the nut. I wasted too much energy searching for holds in the dark at the bottom, yes this is a pumpy climb!

Great route! Sustained climbing, pumpy, and really fun moves. Don't forget to enjoy the view!

Just climbed this today. It looks like there was a bolt chopped right before the big horizontal crack. The climb is still perfectly safe with out this bolt. It did seem to protect the hand jam move. Does any one know why this was removed (Bad condition, unnecessary, etc?).

This is the best 5.10 sport climb in BCC by far. Might be the best sport in BCC period. I think grade is more like 5.10d if you stay right at the end and dont step off onto the ledge up high.

Good route. So popular now it is getting awefully greasy. Perhaps stout for 10b BCC grade.

Fun climb! Crux is on last bolt. Everything was solid and clean.

I give the "PG-13" because there is a distinct possibility of hitting the initial ledge if you belay from the ground with too much rope out, and the nervous leader comes off before nailing that mammoth jug below the second bolt. A fall to the sloping ledge here poses the real possibility of putting your ankles in the hurt locker.

There were 9 bolts on this when I did it a decade ago, just sayin'.

If one steps left and sits down on that ledge at the crux near the top, then the .10b is valid; however, if that ledge is artificially avoided (which would not be the case if this were simply a pitch on a big wall) and one works through the top moves with that ever-increasing pump, then the grade is pushing 5.10+..especially if one -artificially- stays to the right of the bolts at the top. This game of "elimination" could be played on any route (try doing "Hollow Man" with just the left hand) but it really comes to play on this one when several obvious options present themselves to the taxed leader working for that on-sight.

PS I beg to differ with Mr. Kaplan on the safety of "Split Seam", which is 15 feet right of "Better Than Bitter" and has no bolts. I led this and placed a lot of gear, including numerous TCU's and a fist full of RP's, and I must agree with Gary Olsen (and, Kudos to you for that ballsy FA!!) in that the climb is a scare-fest. Though one may place gear in cracks, and the gear holds up a draw, that in no way improves the quality of the rock the gear is in. I doubt the gear in this rock would hold a fall, and once a piece rips, I think there is a real possibility of decking because everything could rip. Great climb! Bad Rock! r/x rating is completely warranted.

Ha so fun! great holds and fun climbing! Do it!