East Face 

You must be referring to The Monk's east face. It's one pitch and utterly safe if you make the start around the corner. Otherwise, it could be pg13.

I agree. Did it a few weeks ago. No problem except for the slight runout on the third and fourth bolts...Dont let the exposure get to you...Theres lots of stuff up top to hang onto as you trust your feet... :)

We started the route on a South facing start with a bolt and then onto the ledge with another bolt. You then step out and up to the third and fourth bolts.

There is some fairly "bad" grafitti at the start to the original East Face route. Located low to the left as you step through the notch (faces kinda west-ish) in the chimney hallway. Meant to try to remove it, but, we forgot the scotchbrite or wire brush.

Great route.

I also don't see why this would be considered PG13. There are bolts and they are new as far as I can remember so I didn't feel like there was anything sketchy about this climb at all.

This is nit-picky point, but what the hey. Based on the info provided by Greg Opland in his 1996 "Phoenix Rock II", the 5.3 east face route actually starts by scrambling up and left into the cave created by a large boulder leaning against the Praying Monk proper. From here, one can scramble up (Class 3)a ramp to the first bolt of the East Face route, clip the bolt, step out on the face and climb up. The boulder doesn't actually contact the side of the Praying Monk so it isn't a problem to flip your rope out of the cave and onto the east face. Starting direct from ground adds maybe twenty feet of 5.6 climbing before hitting the 5.3 climbing on the east face. Either way, a really fun climb.

Don't wanna split hairs and I am not saying this route is not very easy but it definetly harder than 5.3 after the first couple bolts it is probally like 5.6.

Just ran up the east face with a freind today 3/22/11. The climb was great, never felt any holds flex or dealt with much choss besides at the headwall. Solid climb, taught a first timer how to belay from the top. Great climb for learning and honing in your leading skills/anchor skills. 1 Huge Ibolt awaits you at the top, followed by two other Ibolts near the southeast edge of the rock which we used obviously to rappel off of. Stellar Climb just watch out for the fat chicks (jokes ofcourse) and ASU Dbags that infest the hikers trail.

P.S. Never experienced any issues on this climb with reguards to the runouts between third and fourth bolts. Even though their spaced. Their spaced for a reason, it's easy climbing just dont forget to bring some confidence with you when you climb!

Enjoy! and come visit your friends at AZ On The Rocks in Scottsdale

- Eric W

Great route on solid rock. Total height is about 115' since a second tied into the rope at the base leaves the trailing end about 30' off the ground once he/she gets to the anchor. Of course, a 60m still gets you to the ground no problem, rapping the south side.

BRING MORE DRAWS! The book we were using only said 6 draws were needed but I think there was a total of 9 bolts from start to finish. I had to down climb and unclip one or two to make it the whole way.