Lower East Face, Sphinx 

FA:  Unknown Type:  Trad Consensus:  5.7 [details] Length:  4 pitches, 500 feet Views: 59 page views Submitted By: George Bell on Oct 2, 2008 Add Photo  Add Comment

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Description 

P1, 5.3ish - Climb from the base of the Sphinx up to a ledge system with trees and bushes. Traverse left.

P2, 5.5ish - Climb up and into a cool chimney. Crank out of the chimney on your left, and belay at a large tree. Watch out for big loose rocks on this pitch!

The crux pitch. It's not obvious where to go, and it looks like there is very little pro. An easy ramp tempts one left, but avoid this temptation unless you want to climb A Sphinxter Says What?. Instead, move up and right from the belay to the base of a steep face. Then, follow "the line of least resistance" more or less straight up, ending the short pitch at a small tree. You can get pro in on this pitch, but at the start it appears unprotected and more difficult than 5.7. Choose your line carefully.

Now join the Upper East Face route, and romp 2 more pitches of easy slabs to the summit.

Location 

Begin at the lowest point on the SE Face.

Protection 

Standard Flatirons rack.