Equinox 

A striking splitter and one of the best pure crack routes in Joshua Tree. Toproping this can be a bit easier than leading depending upon finger size.

Originally called "Et Tu" when done as an aid route.

Placing gear is real straightforward on Equinox. I think that leading being a whole grade harder is a bit of an exaggeration. Harder yes. A full number harder, well...
Regardless, Equinox is arguably the finest crack in Jtree and one of the best fingercracks in the West if not the entire country.

This thing is nowhere near "a full number grade easier" on TR. 5.11c on TR? Bwahahaha, that's a good one! If you're willing to take longish falls, there are decent locks/stances at the start, at the scoop, and above the scoop to place gear from. The gear is very straighforward, especially for a harder JT climb.

I've heard similar sentiments about this climb not being 5.12 if on TR.

My 2 cents: This finger crack is simply amazing. The best I have ever seen on an intrusive rock. Leading it or TRing it? Not much different in my opinion. I say this because the thing takes perfect gear everywhere. Finger size cams just fall in. There are also some spaced, but really good locks- so if you're resting on em anyways, why not just drop in a cam as well? This crack was also the most painful I have ever experienced. I had flappers on my fingers afterwards. It is brutal. Smear those feet and yard on those locks, try not to bleed out... good luck. It is as good as it gets.

I have to agree with *someone*, it was 11d+/- on TR with "discreet" rope tension ;)-

I have to agree that this climb is harder on the lead than on TR. I sent second go on TR, but have yet to send it on lead. There's something about being locked off on a painful fingerlock, trying to wiggle in a cam, while the feet are skating and the arms are pumping out. That seems to add some difficulty.

5.11? That stresses me out

haha, not sure I agree with that! the crux is 5.12 no matter what! the bottom may be .11+, the top may be .11-, but the crux? leading it didn't necessarily feel much harder than tr, just a little concerning because if you fall you may leave a finger. My finger went numb for 3 months after one attempt!

Equinox on Youtube -

that is tradass!

now thats a crack.!

You gotta love it. People saying that doing a climb on TR is the same difficulty as leading it. Pretty soon people are going to start claiming an ascent just because they looked at a particular route.

Bruce, some comments have been deleted in this. At one time there were a couple claiming this was a full number easier on TR vs lead...i.e. 11c on TR vs 12c on lead. Which, btw, is ridiculous. Even when those comments were in place, the reading comprehension and short attention span theater soon had folks arguing what you're on about.

I think this is the best route in Josh. If the first 15' were less painful it would be the most fun, too. It's easier to toprope, for certain, but four grades difference is a bit overboard. Maybe two for the pain factor of the first few placements through the crux. After that it's simply pleasure. Of course, this being a crack and all, my review is rather large guy dependant. A small female friend of mine has fallen off the top and finds the bottom locker.

Replaced the tattered fixed line on the back of the formation.

is honnold free soloing equinox in this video? whatever the line, it looks awesome!

climbingnarc.com/videos/nikon-d4-promo-featuring-alex-honnol>>>

Sure looks like it Randy!

Got on this rig today, and man are those some painful finger locks. Such a sweet route!
Unreal that Honnold soloed that thing! Crazy!