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.

Thoracic Sands

Spinal Arete

Scoliosis

Whiplash

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.

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!

Description

Location

Protection

Routes in The Spinal Column