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Second Tier
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Middle Wall 
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Wall of the Dead 

Second Tier

Submitted By: Ron Olsen on Mar 29, 2006
Administrators: Ben Mottinger, Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monomaniac
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BETA PHOTO: Avalon, showing most of the major features.

Note:...


Description 

The Second Tier is home to most of Avalon's routes, and it's where you'll find the biggest crowds on a busy day.

This tier is complex and is split into various parts. See the Beta Photos for details.

From left to right:

Tarot Wall - on the left side above the First Tier. Mostly 5.10 and 5.11 sport routes, including The Devil (11c), Lust (10c), The Tower (10a) and Wheel of Fortune (10a). Popular.

Three Dihedrals - Above and right of Tarot Wall. Only a few climbs here, including the popular Dominator (10b).

The Clipboard Area - just right of the Three Dihedrals area. Three quality routes: Chairman of the Board (11d), The Clipboard (11b), & Stigmata (10a).

The Middle Wall - right of the Clipboard Area. Has the classic Strange Science (11c) and Free Fall (12a), and the moderate slab routes Incline Club (7+) and Tomb of Sorrows (9). Popular.

The Wall of the Dead - above and right of the Middle Wall. Four routes, including Dead Can Dance (9) and Dead Again (10c).


Getting There 

Head up the talus field above the Tyrolean Traverse. A dirt trail starts at the top of the talus. Very soon the trail splits: the left branch heads to Tarot Wall and Three Dihedrals; the right branch continues up the hill toward the Middle Wall, Clipboard, and Wall of the Dead. See each area for more detailed info.

You can also reach Tarot Wall by continuing up left past the First Tier; this is convenient if you started your day by climbing there.


The Classics

Mountain Project's determination of some of the classic, most popular, highest rated routes for Second Tier:
The Tower   5.9     Sport, 1 pitch, 100 feet   Tarot Wall
Dead Can Dance   5.10a     Sport, 1 pitch, 60 feet   Wall of the Dead
Stigmata   5.10a     Trad, Sport, 1 pitch, 50 feet   Clipboard Area
Dead Again   5.10b     Sport, 1 pitch, 60 feet   Wall of the Dead
Dominator   5.10c     Sport, 1 pitch, 60 feet   Three Dihedrals
Lust   5.10d     Sport, 1 pitch, 90 feet   Tarot Wall
Supernatural   5.11a     Sport, 1 pitch, 85 feet   Middle Wall
The Clipboard   5.11c     Sport, 1 pitch, 50 feet   Clipboard Area
Strange Science   5.11c     Sport, TR, 1 pitch, 50 feet   Middle Wall
Chairman of the Board   5.11+     Sport, 1 pitch, 50 feet   Clipboard Area
The Devil   5.11d     Sport, 1 pitch, 70 feet   Tarot Wall
Free Fall   5.12a     Sport, 1 pitch, 40 feet   Middle Wall
Ripcord   5.12a     Sport, 1 pitch, 50 feet   Middle Wall
Earth Angel   5.12d     Sport, 1 pitch, 80 feet   Tarot Wall
Browse More Classics in Second Tier

Featured Route For Second Tier
Dave Goldstein below the crux.

Strange Science 5.11c  CO : Boulder Canyon : ... : Middle Wall
I'll stick my neck out and give Strange Science three stars (at least by Boulder Canyon standards). The climb is pretty obvious as you hike up the faint trail to Avalon. The route follows a line of small flakes up the center of a beautiful forty-foot high scooped face, a pleasingly natural and independent line. The right arete, Free Fall, is bolted and (5.12a?) has a steep bouldery look, with a seam and closely-spaced bolts. Right a...[more]   Browse More Classics in CO


Photos of Second Tier Slideshow Add Photo
The First Tier and Tarot Wall areas of Avalon.

BETA PHOTO: The First Tier and Tarot Wall areas of Avalon.

Avalon Upper Wall Routes. Photo taken from Upper Animal World.

BETA PHOTO: Avalon Upper Wall Routes. Photo taken from Upper ...