This climb starts on the upper tier of the Clock Tower, a bit left of the mid point on the crag. A single hard pull (5.11d) up a blankish start leads to a good ledge and a very long reach to a decent horn, a very height-dependent move, and the crux at 5.12a. Haul up over the horn to great 5.11 face climbing on excellent edges and deep incut flakes.
A great climb worth all three stars for the climbing moves, continuity, and quality of the stone.
Protection
QD only. 8 -10 QD and something for the two bolt anchor at the top.
I couldn't detect any chipped holds and the bolts are some of the better spaced at the Sport Park. I'm tall so the reach was easy, so in my book it is 11c and gets *** Cory
By Aron Quiter Administrator From: Berkeley, CA Sep 6, 2002
I am not so tall at 5'9"... But this isn't even height dependent. This is a good 11d route for someone of my size, but the people that are 5'2" aren't going to be doing the same move as those over 6', not that they usually can on reachy routes. I don't think this was a chipped route, and was a fairly interesting and burney route for me.
By Tony Bubb From: Boulder, CO Jul 14, 2003 rating: 5.10d
I'm going to take a LOT of heat for this, but it is my honest opinion. This climb is VERY severely overgraded. It's fun, but very overgraded. Maybe something broke off and left better holds, maybe it just suited my style, maybe I had the best day of my climbing career, but 5.12a/b should not be a cake walk for me- it should be on par with my most desperate on-sights ever. It wasn't. I'd put it on par with a soft 5.11 or hard 5.10. That said, big moves to big holds. I have very long arms and big shoulders. It you are 6' (I'm 5'10" with a +6" ape index) this should go well.
Really fun move. Please tell me that the opening undercling was real?!?!? It looked and felt drilled to me!
I honestly thought it was 5.10d. I thought about putting 11a/b because that would stir the pot too much, but my honest opinion is my honest opinion and I don't want to mince that too much.
TB - The ape index does help to soften the move. I think the 5.12 rating was noted in Rolofson's guide, and I used that as a reference. Personally, I don't think the move is 5.10. Mid to upper 11 probably fits.
Okay...the fragile ego downgraders that frequent this site need to remember that we are talking about moderate routes (11+ through 12-). Does Tony B and his other cast of middle-aged weaklings need to be reminded that there is nothing cutting edge about this grade range? What is their motive to downgrade? To remind the gym rat with six months experience that they haven't scratched the surface of advanced climbing? If you find yourself downgrading 12- routes, you probably need to take up another sport, because you just don't matter anymore!
NON - since when is 11+/12- moderate climbing? We must all not be the "advanced climber" that you are. Based on the attitude here, I would say you are climbing for the wrong reasons. Cutting edge grade range? Looks like you are the one with the ego here. If you are such a cutting edge grade chaser then why are you making a post on a route at the Sport Park? Attitudes like yours are what I despise about many Boulder area climbers who think that they are just so cool. It is people like you that don't matter anymore.
By Joshua Merriam From: Boulder, CO Aug 4, 2008 rating: 5.12
I didn't like this climb much, I thought the opening move was hard, and would be significantly harder for normal size (reach) people. The rest was pretty much easier, but not gimmee. Good line, not so great climbing.