Sound of Music (North Face Variation)

According to the pitch descriptions for the

North Face

, this route would be pitch 8. It's a great addition to the North Face Route versus the standard scramble on pitch 8, and so....

From the

North Face

description: "P7-8. Grassy slopes interspersed with occasional rock steps (5.4) lead to the top of the cleft, which deposits you on a huge ledge system below the summit cliffs."

After pitch 7, there is a massive, grassy ledge. On the right side of this ledge is an east/southeast-facing wall with great potential for more routes. Locate the right facing flake/crack that dominates the middle half of this route. Beware of loose rock and plenty of lichen. This could easily be 3 stars with a bit of traffic to clean things up.

P8. Start by climbing a series of ledges for 20 feet. Shuffle left, and climb the right-facing flake (crux). Continue straight up to a short open book and to the top.

After this climb, hike and scramble south (climber's left) through some very exposed 4th class terrain to the start of pitch 9.

Special thanks to my climbing partner, Zane Edwards, for pushing his limits on this adventurous outing.

Standard rack.