Chris Owen on pitch 3 taken from Fingertrip. (c) S...
Description
This three pitch face climb is more characteristic of Middle Cathedral Rock than it is of the rest of Tahquitz. It starts at an inobvious place, about 100 feet to the right of Switchbacks. Pitch 1 (5.9+) has several tricky sequences, ending at a two bolt belay. The crux of the climb is near the start of pitch 2, with steep friction and small edges. Pitch 3 (5.10B) has a difficult mantle and some thin face moves. Easy climbing from here leads to Lunch Ledge.
By Chris Miller Administrator Mar 3, 2006 rating: 5.10c/d
Fabulous face climbing that's all the more amazing when you consider the year it was first done. This stands as a real testament to the skill and vision of Bob Kamps.
So named because it was "blanker" than The Blank, a climb freed a few years earlier by Frost and Kamps.
I agree that the second bolt on p2 should be replaced. The last gear was a micronut 10 feet below it. That manky bolt is the only thing between the crux and the anchors--or you and eternity, depending on how you look at it. P2 is definitely not safe for someone who could possibly fall here.
West Face - Center (Flintstone Slab)
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