Gargoyle 5.6
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| Type: | Trad, 1 pitch, 60 feet |
| Consensus: | 5.6 [details] |
| FA: | unknown |
| Submitted By: | Ken H on Jan 1, 2006 |
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BETA PHOTO: Gargoyle. Photo by Blitzo.
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Description This is the hand crack on the left side of Zippy Rock as you approach from the parking area. Great 5.6 hand crack!! From top to bottom hands size crack. Good early lead for aspiring trad leader as long as you have a few hand sized pieces. Seems like a good place for cold winter days.
Protection Solid hand sized pro the whole way widening some at the top. Take a fist size or larger piece or two for the anchor at the top. Rappel slings at top or 3rd/4th class down climb.
Gigi shows me how it's done
| T B leading Gargoyle (ca 1982)
| Me leading as the sun sets
| Further up, feeling super comfy and having a blast
| Finishing up as the crack widens
| Madi seconding in the fading light
| Sun setting
| Gargoyle. Photo: Dave Rockwell, Climber, Todd Bra...
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By C Miller Administrator Jan 18, 2006
| A striking line from a distance which becomes less appealing closer up. Somewhat low-angled and gritty but not a total bomb either. One star out of five. |
By M.Morley Administrator From: Sacramento, CA Jan 19, 2006
| A mediocre route - not great, not horrible. Worth a tick if you happen to be nearby, but I wouldn't suggest going out of your way for this one. Gets morning sun. |
By BradP Feb 6, 2006
| Two stars. This is a good, easy, crack to practice your jamming technique. The rock quality is pretty good on the lower 25-30' of the crack, but it does get gritty at the top where the angle eases off. |
By Brian F Mar 17, 2006 rating: 5.6
| Sad to say - because I disagree with the community on this one...I love Gargoyle...its one of my favorite climbs in the park. Its just so nice....I know its sad. I've climbed it at least 8 times. Prob more. Its a guilty pleasure. |
By Blitzo Sep 15, 2006
| Gritty, but fun. |
By Obi From: Portland, OR Nov 5, 2007 rating: 5.6
| Although not hard, the last 10' or so of the climb was an offwidth section for me and my partners. This section loses the aesthetic movement that the initial handcrack provides (unless you like offwidths - in which case, hats off to you). The downclimb seemed roughly as hard as the climb itself, but it's only a fraction of the length. |
By Colin Parker Administrator From: Idyllwild, CA May 27, 2009 rating: 5.6
| Took my first ever trad fall on this one last year. Beginner mistake, tried to use the face for feet instead of squeezing them in the crack. Anyway, good hand crack and solid practice. Recommended if you're a beginner or in the area. |
By DaveGustafson From: Palm Desert, CA Nov 1, 2010
| I loved the approach! I thought that this was a pretty fun route - Leave the small stuff on the deck - Bring a few of #1-#3.5 range and you should be styin'! Nice secure holds all the way - a fair grade of 5.6. Wasn't a big fan of the walk down, but there I go complaining again. Rap station around the corner and up didn't look like much fun to get to either. |
By Julian Sutter Feb 20, 2011
| May be one of the best introductions to crack climbing in the pack. I say this because the hands and feet fit perfectly, and you don't have any face holds to cheat with. |
By Trad Nanny Mar 17, 2011 rating: 5.6
| No cheating hand crack and comfy jams in comparison with some other cracks in JT. There is a diagonal crack line on the wall directly behind this route. Wasn't any chalk on it, anyone know what it is? |
By Shawn G From: Phoenix, AZ Mar 18, 2012 rating: 5.6
| Good practice. When getting down, I belayed the second as they climbed down into the gully on the south side of the formation. I rapped the route using the other end of the rope and the second as my anchor. The second unties, pull the rope and coil it by the time they walk around the corner. Now you can go climb something fun. |
By Julian Sutter Nov 19, 2012
| I just heard reports that 2 bolts have been placed on the route, and that bolts have been added to the down climb? Can anyone confirm this? I tend not to be an elitist when it comes to bolting, but in Jtree there are regulations for bolting, and I would be surprised if any of those who hold licenses for bolting would have done this. |
By Randy Nov 19, 2012
| If true, I don't expect them to last. |
By ediza Jan 1, 2013
| There's two bolts with rap rings as of 12/28/12 at the top. |
By toddgordon From: Joshua Tree, California Jan 1, 2013
| Good;...now you don't have to do that lame dicey choss decent, there is an anchor for two climbs (Gragoyle/Canalizo), climbers aren't beating up the desert getting back to their packs from walking off the back, and the rope doesn't get shreaded on gargoyle with the old gear anchor......good idea..... |
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