PA's Variation  5.8 PG13

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Type:  Trad, 1 pitch, 120 feet, Grade II Consensus:  5.8 [details] FA:  Pat Ament & pals, 1964 Fixed Hardware:  1 Lead Bolt [details] Season:  any but high temps Submitted By:  Tony B on Aug 6, 2006 You & This Route  |  Other Opinions (5) Your todo list: Your stars: Your rating: -none- [change] Your ticklist: [add new tick]

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2013 Raptor Nesting Closure in effect - NOW LIFTED MORE INFO >>> As of Feb. 1, 2013, a seasonal wildlife closure is in effect on Redgarden Wall in Eldorado Canyon State Park to protect nesting and roosting sites of the canyon’s falcons. The closure starts Feb. 1 through July 31, or until further notice and includes the following climbing routes: The Naked Edge (last 3 pitches only), The Diving Board, Centaur, Redguard (last 3 pitches only), Red Ant, Semi-Wild, Anthill Direct (last 3 pitches only), and The Sidetrack. For more info, visit dnr.state.co.us/newsapp/press.asp?PressId=8152 From an Eldorado Canyon tweet, the Redgarden Wall closures were lifted May 6, 2013. This information is a public crowdsourcing effort between the Access Fund, and Mountain Project. You should confirm closures, restrictions, and/or related dates. Keeping climbing areas open and conserving the climbing environment Action Committee for Eldorado

Description 

An independent pitch with independent good climbing, perhaps this is referred to as a variation because it was used as an alternate finishing pitch to Pseudo Sidetrack.

From the twisted juniper, climb up and into a hanging dihedral past some broken rock and so-so gear to reach a striking corner with a 1.5-3" handcrack. Climb this to the top and then go up and right, getting gear whenever possible, so as not to be for want of it later. You will head up and right out of the corner and see an old bolt with an old round aluminum hanger out and right on a sloping shelf. Clip it with a long sling (and screamer) or bypass this in favor of some small nuts left of it behind a 4" thick flake. Continue up and right through a bulge (bad gear, but good holds, 5.8?) and up to lower angle climbing, jugs,and more gear. Traverse right into trees and belay on upper juniper ledge (90') or continue up and finish as for the final roof of Archer McLanahan to the left (5.8+?).

Descend via the descent as for 'The Bulge' or via East Slabs if finishing on Archer McLanahan.

Location 

This climb starts in the big left-facing dihedral down and right from Archer McLanahan. This is up and left from the big, twisted, gnarled juniper tree on Lower Juniper Ledge, after 2 pitches of Pseudo Sidetrack, or after finishing the pitch above C'est La Vie, Continue-Us, or C'est La Fin.

Protection 

A standard light rack with a few long slings. The best part of the climb is a hands to thin hands crack in a solid corner, but there is a funky start with lesser gear (5.7?) and a steep finish on face holds (5.7 to 5.8, S) that is protected by an ancient bolt and round aluminum hanger... I didn't bother clipping it, placing a few small nuts instead and climbing more directly.