Left Ski Track 

This is a fun climb! Did it in March (it was hot all over SoCal so we snuck in for a great day while the climbing gods were looking the other way ;-) The step around is awesome but don't be confused by the topo - climb up onto the block, clip the upper piton, and do the step around with your feet on the lower section of the block. This move is not done below the block as the topo shows, unless you want it to be a lot harder than 5.7. I prefer the variation 2 above the standard second belay - it's a more aesthetic line that climbs well and the slab moves at the top are sweet! The step around is definately the money but I think the move is considerably harder than the rating given for this climb.

Probably the most unique 5.6 I've ever done. Slinging chickenheads and pimpin up the corner and then the airy step-around. Highly recommended.

Really fun , lots of nuts typical for tahhquitz. I found a big piece useful, both in the 2nd anchor and to protect for my second above the bolt on the finish pitch. A red tricam protected the move getting into the crack off the slab way better than a cam, i cant imagine climbing here without tricams.

Enjoyable variety. Mellow, fun, and safe. Classic.

Lots of fun! I'm a newish leader on multipitch routes, so here are my impressions for other fresh faces looking for an intro to Tahquitz.

Go for it. This route has generous placements for protection throughout. I will echo Bill Olszewski's advice to not get lured below the block on the step-around. The fixed pitons are a nice guide. As on most traversing moves, remember to protect after the traverse -- If your second is nervous a solid placement after the step-around will reduce fears of a swinging fall and thus lessen the amount of Terrorface.

Bring long slings, and actively plan your placements to reduce rope drag.

If you are a new leader this route is exciting as hell. The first pitch is great holds and confident climbing, but pro has to be well-extended to prevent drag and a fall would be, well, bumpy on the highly featured rock.

The second pitch past the step-around is as airy as it gets at the grade and height and is totally exhilarating. Step back out at the belay past the step-around and throw some extra pro in for your second.

For the third pitch we opted to take the flake that runs pretty much straight up from the belay to the fourth-class traverse left after looking up the gully that constitutes the proper final pitch. Looked like steep friction with crazy exposure below so felt stronger on the flake.

What a great climb.

+1 on tricams - many of the pin scars protect well with cams, and great nut placements are abundant, but if you've got the tricams then you'll appreciate them more than ever here. fun route, though I was a little concerned about the stability of the big chockstone just below the first belay...

"...i cant imagine climbing here without tricams."

The route has been climbed countless times since 1947, well before the advent of tricams. It's great that you thought they worked well on this route, but this route protects great with just about any type of passive gear or cams.

The step around's not bad at all just a bit of balance is needed. Taller folk and get a nice finger slot up and right of the piton.

Climbed this two weeks ago at the end of the day. We were too tired to want to finish after the first pitch - thankfully a 60m rope will get you safely down to the ground a bit uphill of where the climb starts (climber's right).

Mellow and fun route, I feet it is a solid first lead for anyone considering the short pitches and good placements. The step around was fun even without sporting a sombrero and chucks. We did the finish that goes straight up the crack at the 2nd belay which was great but I ended up wandering around a bit to find a good belay spot from the top.

There is a beautiful essay about a wobbler John Long had while following John Bachar soloing in Long's book Rock Jocks, Wall Rats and Hangdogs called "Last Blasphemy".

The step around is really dicy for the follower since they are pulling the final pieces of gear. A #3 C4 in the crack following the traverse with a double length sling to extend will do the trick. Otherwise, the 2nd can take a nasty wipper if the last pice between them and the anchor is the piton.

There is a beautiful essay about a wobbler John Long had while following John Bachar soloing in Long's book Rock Jocks, Wall Rats and Hangdogs called "Last Blasphemy".

Wrong Left Ski Track there history buff. The Left Ski Track depicted in the story is in JT, and Largo ain't wobbling on a 5.6- ever. And as an aside, the story is titled the The Only Blasphemy.

Here is the link to the climb: www.mountainproject.com/v/left-ski-track/105725131