This is the lead to test all hard offwidth climbers. Its moderate grade keeps it from getting much press, but anyone familiar with Scarpelli .11b's will have some idea of what to expect. Rest assured, this is probably one of the hardest offwidths at Vedauwoo. It is overhanging the whole way, and the crux is close to the top. Unlike a lot of other hard offwidths, you can not crimp your way through the crux on this one. Technique will be your only hope, so if you don't have any, then you won't stand much of a chance. Many talented offwidth climbers have called this a .12 making it one sandbagged mofo. If you have big fist, it may be an .11. If you have small to average fists, then it is a lot harder. To add to the difficulty, you will not find much friction on this fine line, rather, the inside of the crack is a very smooth, polished patina that will leave you squeezing with all your might just to stay in there.

Get psyched, get tough, and go for it.

Big Pink

Spit Out

Barley

Plumb Line

Kasha

Corn

Quinoa

Amaranth

Climb a mace-like stem-across move to start, then go up a thin face.

Barley is a good, short intro to offwidths, with an emphasis on short.

Barley is located on the SW side of Plumb Line Crag. It is on the lower tier of the Crag. It is about 50 feet to the left of the distinct

Plumb Line

hand crack, and is 10 feet to the left of

Corn

. The climb begins from a small perch that is formed between a large boulder and the cliff. Follow a clean crack that begins with hand jams and widens to off width about halfway up the wall. From the base, the climb doesn't look like it will present any challenge, but the first moves and the wide section will surprise you. Set up the belay in a cave formed by the large boulders perched on the crag's middle terrace.

To exit, scrabble off to your right (East), staying high on the terrace until you are on the East side of the Crag. Alternatively, there are bolted anchors on the large boulder just above the

Plumb Line

crack that can be used for a rappel.

This is the namesake route for the crag.  This is a short but sweet, picture perfect splitter that's a little overhanging.  Rappel at the top.

Corn is a very short, fun climb with bomber hand jams.

Corn is located on the SW side of Plumb Line Crag. It is on the lower tier of the Crag, and is about 40 feet to the left of the distinct

Plumb Line

hand crack. Corn is in a recessed, left-facing corner with two cracks. Start out using both cracks and then follow the left crack. Set up the belay in a cave formed by the large boulders perched on the crag's middle terrace.

To exit, scramble off to your right (East), staying high on the terrace until you are on the East side of the Crag. Alternatively, there are bolted anchors on the large boulder just above the

Plumb Line

crack that can be used for a rappel.

Climb the offwidth to chimney 5 yards right of

Plumb Line

. Surmount the tricky start (the crux), and follow with some hard work.

Climb an offwidth start, then follow two cracks to the top.  We thought the climb was better than it looked.

Amaranth is a perfect, short, finger crack.

Amaranth is located on the SW side of Plumb Line Crag. It is on the lower tier of the Crag and is located about 100 feet to the left of the distinct

Plumb Line

hand crack and about 40 feet left of

Barley

. The climb follows a thin crack up a left-facing corner. The crack widens at the top but does not require any offwidth climbing. You will need to boulder about 10 feet up to a ledge at the base of the finger crack. Beware of a thorn bush on the ledge, and beware of a potentially loose block if you scale up on the right side of the ledge. The block is balanced on its end, and you don't want to yard on it and pull it down onto your partner. Set up the belay in some large boulders perched on the crag's middle terrace.

To exit, scrambble off to your right (East) staying high on the terrace until you are on the East side of the crag. Alternatively, there are bolted anchors on the large boulder just above the

Plumb Line

crack that can be used for a rappel.

Description

Location

Protection

Routes in Lower Tier