Black Rose

This route is the original Black Rose. It was restored by John Ross in October 2007 using the original four bolt holes. It was chopped many years ago, becoming a casualty of a dispute between two climbers. Note that the line named Black Rose in the Ruckman guide is not the original line.

The route starts on the right side of a small bulge at the base of the slab. After getting to the top of the small bulge you clip the first bolt (14' up) and then climb through the first crux. Thin hands and thinner feet make for some tenuous moves to slightly more positive handholds, and finally your feet are on something slightly resembling a hold. (As a side note, the ripples appearing in the Black Rose 1. [[106506583]] 5.11c 2. [[106053868]] 5.10d 3. [[105742061]] 5.10a 4. [[106144464]] 5.11a/b form some of the almost-holds; the ripples are a remnant of the ancient beaches from which the Rock Canyon quartzite was formed).

Clip the second bolt and the real business starts. Slopey feet, single finger holds and slopers for the hands lead to clipping the third bolt. After the clip heave a sigh of relief (but not too deeply) as you strive to reach more positive territory after another couple of moves. The hard part is over. Continue on positive edges, clip the fourth bolt and then bear right toward the anchor.

An alternate start is possible in the crack at the bottom left of the slab. The first bolt is a stretch but can be reached and clipped. However, the alternate start doesn't avoid the crux, which is after the second bolt.

Rock Canyon Loremaster Darren Knezek told me that this was originally rated 5.10d by the FA party; he thought he remembered it might even be a little harder.

The base of the slab was changed by quarrying in 2003. The routes on the slab used to start on a boulder. See here for a photo from before the quarrying.

The semi-detached slab at the left of the Black Rose area contains this route and A Rose is a Rose (and every square inch has been climbed on top rope). This route starts at the right side of the slight bulge at the base of the slab and follows the line of four bolts.

4 bolts to chain anchors.