This is the first climb established at the Spinal Column, and it was used primarily to gain access to the top and put in bolts for “

Whiplash

.” It is not worth the approach to just do this climb, and it doesn’t really serve as a good warm-up for the other quality lines.

A thoughtful start with untrustworthy protection leads to discontinuous cracks and the top of the wall. This climb does not have a bolted anchor, so it is advisable to belay a second up, and then traverse over to the “

Whiplash

” anchors to descend cleanly.

Scoliosis

Spinal Arete

Whiplash

Thoracic Sands

Start just right of “

Whiplash

” continuing right, up and around the arete. Move back left around a slopey ledge, and pull over the crux bulge on small holds. This shares anchors with “

Whiplash

.”

Falling near or while clipping the 5th bolt could be consequential; however, the moves get easier as you get closer to the bolt.

Start with easy moves up to a bolt, then ascend varied, .11 climbing with specific but well-spaced gear to a rest near the top where the crack ends (save a 0.3 or 0.4). Then punch it through the bouldery crux to the anchors. A fall near the chains would be big, but the gear is good!

Climb a varied crack with tricky gear past 1 bolt to a ledge. Continue past 3 bolts to a stacked anchor.

The crux at the upper bolted section is a bit contrived, as it can easily be climbed around to the left by climbing the crack on “

Scoliosis

;” however, the climbing up to the ledge is terrific, and the direct crux at the top is well-protected.

Description

Location

Protection

Routes in The Spinal Column