The Virgin

This route climbs the spectacular rust-colored wall immediately right of the Virgin painting.

This is a really great route for the grade. Unlike many of the hard routes in Penitente, it is not just a one move wonder, but it demands sustained effort all the way to the chains. I found one hard/reachy move getting to the 2nd bolt (will be no problem for taller people), then generally very consistent difficulty to the very top. I would consider this to be the 2nd must-do route after "Bullet the Blue Sky".

There is at least one really obvious enhanced pocket on this route which is a real shame. From what I could see, it was another case of pointless chipping, as the hold in question seemed to be just fine without the "improvement". Thinking back, there were probably other holds as well, but I didn't scrutinize every one. For the record, Bob D. was not the chipper, it was some AC. If you are one of those who refuses to climb on chipped routes, then in this case, it will be your loss, as this route is really worthwhile, despite the cowardly act of some numbnutz.

As for the grade? I thought it was quite a bit harder than "

Bullet the Blue Sky

". The moves are easier than "

Color of Devotion

" but more sustained...so all-in-all, slightly easier.

6 bolts.