Gandalf's Grip 5.9
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| Type: | Trad, 3 pitches, 200 feet, Grade II |
| Consensus: | 5.9+ [details] |
| FA: | |
| Season: | When Dry |
| Submitted By: | Karsten on Jan 23, 2006 |
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Kathryn on pitch 1 just before sunset.
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Description This stunning line is one of the longest and best climbs at Broughton. The climb is on the north face, facing the Columbia river and can be seen from highway 84.
It is usually done in 3 pitches but can be done as one pitch with a 60m rope if long runners are used.
Pitch 1: 5.9 The climb starts up a steep crack and then angles left onto the face through a few bolts. Continue up through a small roof (crux) and onto an angled ledge and a 3 bolt belay.
Pitch 2: 5.8 Continue up a right facing dihedral until it angles to the right and forms a small stance.
Pitch 3: 5.7 The last pitch goes up a wide and sometimes dirty chimney. Belay off a tree at the top.
Walk off to the left (east) or rap
-1 rap with 2 60m ropes or. . .
-2 raps down route
Protection A regular rack of doubles to #3 camalot with one optional larger piece for the last pitch is recommended as well as a few quickdraws and double length slings
Dan climbing up the 1st pitch of Gandalf's Grip.
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Todd leads up pitch #2.
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| Comments on Gandalf's Grip |
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By rpc
Jan 26, 2006
| Gandalf's is rated 5.9+ by Portland Area Rock Climbs (?) book. Even then, that's a BIG PLUS in that rating IMHO. |
By Anthony Stout
Administrator
From: Albuquerque, NM
Feb 1, 2006
rating: 5.9+
| Great route. Been a while since I have done it though (around 2003 when I lived in rainy Portland area). Would be nice to have some photos! |
By Karsten
From: Sacramento, CA
Apr 14, 2006
| I agree on the photos stout. The one of Katherine at the crux is nice but I'll try to get a pic of the whole route in this summer when I in the neighborhood. |
By matt bruton
From: Colorado Springs, Colorado
Sep 11, 2008
| I'll load some pics, if you tell me you used the big tree 15 ft back from the face, not the little (albeit tempting) tree/shrub at to top of the route. |
By ARob
Mar 11, 2009
| This has gotta be the hardest 5.9+ routes I've done, at least the first pitch. The finger crack, although solid is kind of intimidating, followed by what I would call a couple of .10 moves when you get to the bolts. Go ahead and flame all you want, I know a lot of other locals who agree. |
By BenCooper
From: Olympia, WA
May 10, 2009
| What a great 1st pitch! Some fun, weird, more-solid-than-you-think rock leads to a very nice finger crack. I'd call this section 5.9-ish. The face moves above and to the left of the crack seemed a little harder than 5.9. But then again, 5.9+ is a notorious rating just about anywhere. |
By jrex
From: Portland, OR
Jun 2, 2011
| Just put this route up last week and had a great time. Protects well and route finding is straight forward. |
By Colin Parker
Administrator
From: Idyllwild, CA
Jun 22, 2011
rating: 5.9+
| Climbed this yesterday and I agree with the rating comments. However, since it's such a classic, well-protected climb, I think Gandalf's should remain the notorious 5.9+ at Broughton. It seems like every 'older' crag has one.
Also, the second two pitches can easily be combined, and there are some anchors at the top of the crag so it's not necessary to use a tree. |
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