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P-Crack 

5.8

   

FA: Rusty Garing, Chip Barclay '71
Type: Trad
Consensus: 5.8+ [details]
Length: 80 feet
Views: 1,001 page views

Submitted By: Chris Nosti on Jan 22, 2004


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BETA PHOTO: Revised photo of P Wall. Note the added bolts and...


Description 

The route follows the broken corner on the left side of P-wall up to the beginning of Impacted Stool Crack and then traverses right to the first bolt. I usually run it out to here but if you want protection, bring those hexes or large cams and long slings. After the bolt, the climb follows the crack up to the second bolt. Once clipped, traverse right and then up to the anchors. You can climb straight up after the second bolt but it's 5.10. This is a great route for learing trad and its fun if you continue up on Letterman to the next anchors and then scramble the rest of the way to the top of the peak.


Protection 

There are two bolts along the route and you will need gear starting from small to 2.5" Bring longs slings to extend your first couple pieces otherwise rope drag will have you crying.



Photos of P-Crack Slideshow Add Photo
Brian at the now "hanging" belay at the base of P-Crack.

Brian at the now "hanging" belay at the base of P-...

Matt looking down P-Crack at Brian. Just before the infamous traverse.

Matt looking down P-Crack at Brian. Just before th...

Aaron styling with the heel hook at the traverse, during the onsight.

Aaron styling with the heel hook at the traverse, ...

Coby heading up the classic P-Crack.<br />Photo Tom Slater

Coby heading up the classic P-Crack.
Photo Tom Sla...


Vickie grabs the lower rail at the crux of the climb. Leaving the crack & finding the lower rail is the key to this climb.

Vickie grabs the lower rail at the crux of the cli...

Getting ready to get into the crack.

Getting ready to get into the crack.

This would be a good pic if it weren't for the old people in the way. Great views from here & the top of P-Wall. I often see people just hanging out here & at the Letterman anchors enjoying the view.

This would be a good pic if it weren't for the old...

Vickie on the Letterman variation. Clip a bolt then muddle your way through the bird/bat poo. It would be a great variation if it weren't for the guano.

Vickie on the Letterman variation. Clip a bolt the...


Comments on P-Crack Add Comment
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By Scott Bullock
Feb 11, 2004
rating: 5.9-

This is a very exciting lead. It is one of the best climbs on the hill. The crack is full of great holds and jams. It likes nuts at the start and medium to small cams as you move up. I once took a 15' whip onto a number 1 camalot placed below the first bolt, it held beautifully in the hard dysite. The traverse is the mental crux as you move out right, patience is the key as the holds are there. Fantastic exposure and well protected. Go climb it!

By John Knight
Feb 11, 2004
rating: 5.9

I've done this route a bunch of times. It's probably the best route on the entire P-wall. Although the crack is 5.8ish and takes a ton of gear, the traverse can be 5.9+. Sometimes it (the traverse) goes easy and feels like 5.8, other times it feels like 5.9+. This is a great route for a beginning 5.9 leader. The crack sucks up gear and the traverse is protected by 2 solid bolts. If you get tired, you can just "French Free" the crux. Take the 5.6 upper pitch (a bit runout) to Letterman and enjoy the new anchor bolts! Rap the route (2 raps if you have a 60m rope) to get down.

By Jon Hanlon
From: SLO
Oct 30, 2006
rating: 5.8+

I noticed that the block at the base of the crack itself is gone. I am curious if it went by itself, or if it was persuaded.

I hope nobody got hurt when it went.

By Blake
Sep 26, 2007

I think that the big block fell off in a storm. We came back to after a small storm and the tree had fallen and the block was gone. The better question is where are the remnants of the block.

By Christopher Alakel
Oct 22, 2007

I seriously doubt that a “small storm” would be capable for dislodging that large block. I climbed P-Crack not more than a few weeks after it was lamentably pried off with a crowbar. There were what appeared to be pry marks left just above where the block was attached.

BTW: This is the editor’s overly PC revision/interpretation of my original comment (“lamentably”… please)

By Jon Hanlon
From: SLO
Nov 2, 2007
rating: 5.8+

I spoke to somebody who talked to the guy who pried the block off. Apparently the person thought he was doing everyone a favor.

By Christopher Alakel
Jan 2, 2008

Please, NO more tinkering with P-Crack!
It’s perfectly fine the way it is, no additional “improvements” necessary.

If someone has that big of a problem with the new hanging belay, they can belay from the ground. Use a 60m and a few long runners. I’ve done it this way several times, not a problem.

By Jon Hanlon
From: SLO
Jan 4, 2008
rating: 5.8+

Relocating the anchor would alter four established lines and would NOT be a good idea. It should be left alone.

By Rich Graziano
From: Atascadero, CA
Apr 27, 2008

Leave it all as it is. There's nothing problematic with the bolt anchor.

By FrankPS
4 days ago

This route can be toproped by bushwhacking up the gully on the right side of the wall and doing a couple of raps (one 60 meter rope). Beware of poison oak!