The Left Side of Roark  5.10 R

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Type:  Trad, 1 pitch, 160 feet Consensus:  5.10 [details] FA:  J. Achey and B. Feiges, 1977. Fixed Hardware:  5 Lead Pins [details] Season:  Faces S/SE. Submitted By:  Tony B on Jun 14, 2007 You & This Route  |  Other Opinions (1) 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 

A great crux on a so-so route. If all of the climbing were as good, it would be famous instead of obscure. This would be a hard start to Sidetrack, or an early bail-out off of Book Of Numbers. It shares most of its climbing with one or the other, but since it preceded Book Of Numbers by a decade, I suppose it has its own place. And since not everyone climbs 12c, perhaps it makes the bottom of the Book Of Numbers accessible.

Locate a 2-meter section of right-facing dihedral that hangs perhaps 10 meters off of the ground. This is capped by a small roof on its right side.

Climb up to the corner (5.8, S) and into the corner (good pro, a large stopper or 1.5" cam) and then do the crux to get up through the corner and past it (5.10). From the corner, angle up and left, following a general line of weakness past some of the funkiest holds in Eldo. Not bad, just funky. You have joined Sidetrack/Anthill DIrect. Continue past some museum-quality, antique, fixed pins and up and left to a 2-bolt belay/rap.

To descend, rap to the top of the tower above 'The Contest' then rap that route.

Location 

This route is obscure, but not hard to find. Just left of Genesis, about 1/2 way between Genesis and The Contest, a short section of dihedral hangs 10 meters up off of the ground. The route starts below this and climbs up through it, then left along a ramp system to join 'Sidetrack' and 'Anthill Direct.'

Protection 

Not a lot... The crux is reasonably protected by a large nut and a 1.5" cam if you doubt it down. Take a load of 2-foot slings and a few wide-hands to fist-sized pieces. Every now and then a fixed piece will pop up for good gear.