Scramble up some ledges on the left hand side of the crag to a small pillar. Gingerly surmount this feature, lean right and clip the first bolt. Traverse slightly right and pull a small roof (crux) then head back left to the arete. Climb the arete, switching sides as necessary, to a two bolt anchor on the left. Stop here for the sport route. For those with gear and gumption continue past the anchor to the large ledge and set a belay at the base of the left hand crack. Climb this crack (10.b PG 13) to the summit and a cable anchor. Rap from here to the anchors on Grippin', then to the ground. Expect some loose stuff on both pitches - I did alot of cleaning but only time and traffic will really clean these up. So if you can't handle a little choss pick a different route. That being said the climbing and the position are both excellent.

Stomping the Cleaver

Serpant's Rising

High Tide

Anchor Baby

Parrot Bay

Grippin' the Cutlass

Power Structure

The Bends (a.k.a. Decompression Sickness)

Start by walking uphill from the tower's N.E. face and into a large chimney. Mantel onto the obvious chockstone, then up a wide groove capped by a crux roof. Continue past steep rock then easier terrain to a old pin and a new wire summit anchor. This gets one star and an R for looseness.

This is a diverse and interesting climb, up a cool spine of stone that saves the best (and hardest) for last. Climb up a small dihedral, and reach right to clip the first bolt. Traverse onto the face and tackle an initial crux bulge, followed by a second one shortly after. From here, wander up some easy, fun face climbing to the base of a beautiful gold wall. This wall, albeit short, packs a punch- and will have you grippin' til you're clippin'! (anchors).

A grand tour. Scramble up to a nice ledge below a bullet panel of rock just right of '

Parrot Bay

'. Stick clip the first bolt and begin with immediate difficulties that last until the fourth bolt, where the route eases off for a while. Wander up to the big ledge, clip a long sling or a double length draw on the 9th bolt (important), and fire into the crux upon the brilliant, golden upper headwall on pinches and crimps until you reach chains- enjoy the view. If not for the easy mid-section, this would be super classic.

It is possible to escape left after the 6th bolt and clip the anchor for '

Parrot Bay

' for those not prepared to swim in deep water. 'Low Tide', 5.11.

Nothing hurts quite like a splash of Parrot Bay after a late night with the good 'ol Captain Morgan. You'll be gripping crystals right from the get-go on this shorter Crosswinds endeavor. Climb up the pillar/ramp to the left of 'High Tide' to clip the first bolt and start cranking. Thin holds and accurate footwork characterize this sustained climb.

Not the famed Oldsmobile, but any pirates weapon of choice. This bouldery route stands on a pillar of its own, to the left of the other established climbs. Scramble up to a nice belay ledge and begin your journey with some mild, face climbing and a moderately challenging, 3 foot roof. Cruise up some more nice, face climbing before clipping your first draw in the beautiful, steepening bulge. From here, a bouldery series of lock-offs between small grips takes you to the final bolt.

This is a superb 5.10 route starting a few steps north of Crosswind's SW corner, the rightmost bolted line up this cool face.

1. Boulder up to the 1st clip, then follow clips to a bolt with a wire sling. Jam and undercling the left-leaning, or easier skirt right, and pass a small roof band (mid-size cam). Follow jugs back left then up arete to Fixe rings, 9 bolts, 100 feet.

2. Go up red rock (2 pegs ,could add gear) then rightward, pull roof, and power up featured, vertical rock to a summit wire anchor, 3 bolts, 60 feet.

Rap. This is a three star route.

Sometimes when you go up too far, too fast, you experience decompression sickness...and without proper caution, this route is bound to induce it. This is an extension to '

Serpant's Rising

'- clip a long sling (important) on the first bolt (after

Serpant's

) before firing into the stunning, upper headwall. This overhanging finish features awesome movement on a variety of grips - one of the best routes at The Crags. Clipping the third draw is tough, but safe, with an attentive belayer.

Description

Location

Protection

Routes in Crosswinds