Simply Read

This line defines the term "directissima," and were it vertical instead of 40 degrees overhanging, would be the proverbial, Comici-esque path which a drop of water would follow from the cliff's summit to the base of the wall.

Simply Read climbs out the center of the cave sector on the Project Wall directly above the parking area. It tackles an ultra-steep line on porcelain-hard white stone and can be recognized by a highly-chalked boulder problem start in the opening cave.

This line was originally equipped by Erik Fedor then freed about 5 years later by Scott Franklin. It basically consists of two powerful boulder problems separated by scads of sustained, overhanging climbing, and has shut more climbers down than some of the 5.14s at Rifle.

Simply Read ends at 80 feet for the time being, but were it extended to the top of the wall would surely take on another dimension in difficulty. Don't forget your kneepads.

Besides a little glue reinforcing a couple of holds below the upper crux, this line is entirely natural, making it one of the best hard routes at Rifle.

Though this route often has draws in place, you'll need 10-12 draws if it's not equipped.