[Hide Comment] Two Updates/Comments:

1. Last season (Fall-2004) the Yucca Tree completely collapsed and disintigrated. The start is very hard now (12+/V6/7?). The best means of still doing the first pitch is to simply use a shoulder stand to get started (2nd batmans).

2. There are (always has been) only two small heads (alum-copper heads) on first pitch. The second protects the pitch crux. The two bolts are newer, but poorly placed (they replaced original aid bolts) near natural gear. However, the hard moves have marginal (the alumiheads) pro. I would guess that if you fell leading the crux, the pathetic and ancient heads would simply pull/break without slowing you in the slightest. The bolt/gear below would stop you though. Nov 13, 2005

[Hide Comment] As of today (12/13/06) there are fresh copperheads in place at the crux and they have been bounce tested. YMMV.

There is an old #2 head about half way up the first pitch that looks pretty good, and you can get a good RP nut next to it..... NBD.

For the business area, you have a bolt about 3 feet under your feet as you start the cruxy loose face/crack moves. There are 3 heads in the next 10 feet or so that protect the crux. The first set, a #2 and a #3 right next to each other, are pretty darn good. There is another fresh #3 a few feet higher, and the last one is a #3 head that is old, but in pretty good shape. Will the last one hold? Probably.... do you want to fall on it??? No way! IMO, a fall in the crux area will probably not pull any gear, and even it all fails, there is still a bolt about 10 feet below you.

side note: Randy was right... the old heads would not have held any sort of fall. The wires were pretty rusted and frayed, and the cables broke quite easily. Dec 13, 2006

[Hide Comment] Glad to hear that these were replaced. Good work. Now that I'm a retired and over-the-hill pentagenerian, maybe this will help me muster the nerve to lead it again. Dec 15, 2006

[Hide Comment] There was an ugly rumor that the heads were now gone.... as of today, 2/24/07, all the heads are in place and just waiting for some poor sap to rip onto them. I did the first pitch today and there is a large log at the base to help get you past the 5.12 start. The climbing is good and the crux up high is still spicy even with the new heads. 50m rope will let you rap back to the ground from the anchor. Feb 24, 2007

[Hide Comment] This route is good good good and doesn't get the play that it should. I would definitely do the route again (ok follow but you know what I mean) while in the area. Good rock and fun climbing.

~Susan Feb 25, 2007

[Hide Comment] Did the first pitch yesterday for a warm up.What a slap in the face.More like 11d than 12 but hard Jan 6, 2011

[Hide Comment] Don't want to ruin the mystery here, because that's what made this route memorable for me, but I'll add a couple comments. I rapped from the top of Pitch 1.

1. As of March 4 2017 there is a short wooden ladder at the base of the climb that will allow you to skip the boulder problem and start the route with decent protection and 5.10 moves.

2. Russ's comments from 2006 and 2007 regarding the quality and quantity of copperheads remains pretty accurate. Though (thankfully) I did not need to test them. YMMV

3. As a whole, (with ladder start), Pitch 1 is 5.10-something, is reasonably safe (not R), and is really quite good. Mar 5, 2017

[Hide Comment] Did the ladder start. Id say more 5.10D NOT an R at least the first pitch (didn't do second pitch). Copper heads protect a couple thin straight forward face moves. There is a ladder in good condition to the right of the climb so you can skip the first 8 ft or so. Super radical line if your into stemming, mantles, face climbing, ham slamming your hamjam, and a juggy traverse. Oct 31, 2018

[Hide Comment] I found the climbing on P1 hard to assign a grade as a lot of the climbing felt a tad awkward (at least the start after the ladder) but never too hard. I found the climbing to be pretty novel and a tad spooky on P1 but definitely safe. Dec 12, 2018

[Hide Comment] The start is super rad without the ladder. You can face climb the groove or earn extra style points for some funky chimney moves. The bashies (4 I think) are in decent shape still. Some of the holds are definitely friable when you are above your gear so tread lightly! Dec 1, 2019

[Hide Comment] The comments here make it apparent most people rap off after the first pitch, missing out on the excellent and thrilling second pitch. Dec 1, 2019