Valley View - 5.9, 190m (7 pitches)

 

View up first few pitches on approach.

Climbed Valley View on Friday, September 3. Boy, this route is really sandbagged. I lead the two crux pitches of the original line (pitch 2 and 4) and I could give P2 maybe a solid 5.9+, but P4; no way it is 5.9. I struggled up the pitch and somehow managed not to fall; it felt more like 10b or more to me. Based on discussions with some local hard climbers, the consensus seems to be pitch 4 is more like 5.10b or 10c. Cool route will some really high quality sections.

Exposed traverse to base of route.

View up Pitch 3

Valley Views 

View down crux (5.9 not)

Laurie heading up pitch 5.

Very cool rock on top of pitch 5.

View up to station above pitch 5.

View up pitch 7 to the top of the route. Cool, delicate slab climbing on this pitch.

Laurie on the top anchor of route.

First rap.

Near the end of the raps.