The route can be approached by climbing the first pitch of Calypso, Boulder Direct, Recon, etc... anything that takes you to the big ledge/ramp that leads down and south from the anchors atop of P1 of Calypso.
Just below the big alcove of the West Overhang is another system that climbs up and to a second roof. The route follows a large crack through the second roof where there is a small amount of poor rock.
The best way to do this route is to start on West Overhang, come through that roof, then step to the right and finish through the second roof (Lemmings) instead of on the easy crack/corner of the West Overhang. Done this way, the route gets a single * and is slightly better protected.
To descend, traverse left from the top of the route to the fixed rap anchors above Boulder Direct.
Protection
The route can be protected on a standard rack plus a big piece (#4 Camalot) near the crux.
The protection takes some creativity and is only satisfactory, not great. This should not be lead by a borderline 5.8 leader.
Additional info, especially for when the Wind Tower is crowded:
- The "real" first pitch of Lemmings starts down and right from the end of the ledge where Recon starts. This is the longest, and in my opinion the nicest, way to the big ledge. Approach not from the Wind Tower trail; instead come up from the Streamside trail.
- There is a beautiful, improbable 5.6 line that goes up to the right of the West Overhang overhang. Follow the easily protected, thin crack to the right of West Overhang up to the corner, find a small, average-at-best nut placement in the least rotten part of the rock, then work up and feel around above you. If you're in the right place, it's 5.6 moves to pull you onto the face and work up to the crux crack.
Even in crowds, I've never seen queues for either pitch as described.
Pulling the 2nd roof can be a little nerve racking if you dont have a cam to fit the wide crack, because you have to pull the roof with a fall that would not be very fun. pro is not that great, but throw on some screamers and they'll work.
I thought this was a fantastic fun route! The two overhangs were a blast and correctly rated at 5.8.
I agree with Mark, the best way to start this climb is from the bottom just to the right of Recon. Find a crack that goes up halfway and peters out just after a large fir tree. Hike up from the streamside trail and climb directly up. This way the whole route is a direct line. The pro is a little runout on P1 after the crack ends, but P1 isn't more than 5.6.
On P2 climb the overhang just right of the West Overhang (note the old pin in the West Overhang) by using the large horn and a very high step. See the Beta Photo (just over the overhang...) to see where you are supposed to go. Looks like the guy slung the horn. Both overhangs on this route are committing but have very good pro right where you need them. We did 2 additional pitches (very easy 5.4 or less) to put us on the summit.
I thought this variation was great! It adds another few fun moves to west overhang. I thought it was more like a 5.7 roof though, It was pretty easy. Also, I used a nut and an orange Alien for pro through the crux. Don't take a #4, it's not necessary. Fun variation but only an extra move or two,
Wind Tower - SW Face
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