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Climbing and ... Climbing => Masters of Mud -- Pinnacles => Topic started by: The Big on March 20, 2006, 09:04:49 AM

Title: New Route on Balconies
Post by: The Big on March 20, 2006, 09:04:49 AM
From the base of the chimney that is down and left of Gary and Phylis's Headwall climb out left from the tree.  Then up, up and away.

Drop Zone 5.7 - mudworm Xi, Erik Mr Mud, Robert Behrens.  7x  

mudworm put in her first two bolts.  The second one from stance.
Title: New Route on Balconies
Post by: The Big on March 20, 2006, 10:27:57 AM
Oopps dam that title should read Machete.  Bet I got your attention though.
Title: New Route on Balconies
Post by: mudworm on March 20, 2006, 10:36:15 AM
Balconies? I wish. At least we would have been in the sun since the morning.



The route is on Machete.



And Rob and Erik B also improved some other route(s) there.  I'm not sure about the details.
Title: New Route on Balconies
Post by: mudworm on March 20, 2006, 10:40:24 AM
Guess my sore wrist really slowed down my typing.  



Oh here is a hearty "THANK YOU!" to all you who have placed bolts before.  THANK YOU!



I now have a new appreciation to what "placing bolts from stance" means.  Insane is the word.
Title: New Route on Balconies
Post by: mungeclimber on March 20, 2006, 10:40:55 AM
words of warning, still some looseness on it, but nice and long. Not a sport climb, but you probably won't die on it either.  



There are NEW anchors placed by Bruce H (ASCA stamped) at the base of these two climbs (Drop Zone and Redline).  Mr Mud thinks the tree is fine. I'm not opposed to the anchors and chains.



bolt added to Redline to reduce total runout distance (FA party, approved)



2nd bolt on Gary and Phyllis Headwall replaced with 3/8" by 3" Rawl/Powers expansion bolt, with great effort I might add by myself and F4?.  Old bolt was actually pretty good for sticking out of the rock about 1/4", old hanger was suspect aluminum and was a spinner at a tricky clip.  







NEVER place 3/8 compression bolts.  As Greg Barnes has noted before, it often results in cratering around the hole and is difficult to replace over time.
Title: New Route on Balconies
Post by: salad on March 20, 2006, 10:50:28 AM
where was the bolt placed on redline?  I dont recall giving my ok, unless it was that last 150 foot runout.



please elaborate on the name drop zone? hopefully the first bolt will allow a tiney ankle biter on the deck for full effect.
Title: New Route on Balconies
Post by: F4? on March 20, 2006, 10:51:47 AM
Replacing the 2nd bolt helped the Gary and Phyllis route, the clip was pretty darn tricky since you had to pull the right draw with a narrow gate. If you didn't, you wouldn't make the clip.



The remaining bolts are tiny 1/4ers (they have a hex head) & the top anchors need some work (chains to be added). All in all it's a great route and the runout to the anchors is not that bad.



I'll replace the top anchors next time and add some chains.



Next Saturday??
Title: New Route on Balconies
Post by: mudworm on March 20, 2006, 11:12:43 AM
Quote from: "cock"
please elaborate on the name drop zone? hopefully the first bolt will allow a tiney ankle biter on the deck for full effect.



I didn't come up with the name, but thought the name was appropriate. Your belayer is in your (and Redline's) drop zone after you clip the last bolt.
Title: New Route on Balconies
Post by: salad on March 20, 2006, 12:09:55 PM
worm, there might be a little more the name... ask munge...
Title: New Route on Balconies
Post by: mungeclimber on March 20, 2006, 12:46:13 PM
Quote from: "cock"
worm, there might be a little more the name... ask munge...





I'd feel really poopy about giving up your secrets my friend.





 :lol:  :lol:
Title: New Route on Balconies
Post by: mungeclimber on March 20, 2006, 12:51:21 PM
Quote from: "cock"
where was the bolt placed on redline?  I dont recall giving my ok, unless it was that last 150 foot runout.




It's about 10-13' above the last bolt, right before the lip just before where it eases back to easy 5th class.  I wanted it higher, but an upper bolt would be mostly for showing what direction the climber should go to find the anchor.  Apparently it's so well camou'd that Mudworm couldn't find it.
Title: New Route on Balconies
Post by: F4? on March 20, 2006, 01:21:21 PM
And what is up with the top anchors for Redline, Fullthrottle & Drop Zone? Placed back in a dish. I scrambled around up there for 10 min. Were you guys on crack when you placed the anchors?  :roll:



 Any self respecting sport route establisher would place the anchors to where they would be seen.  :roll:



At least one bolt would give one a general sense of direction to go.
Title: New Route on Balconies
Post by: salad on March 20, 2006, 01:45:16 PM
factor, maybe you should stick to castle rock, either that or go to europe where they paint arrows on the rock to help climbers find their way.
Title: New Route on Balconies
Post by: mudworm on March 20, 2006, 01:45:31 PM
Quote from: "F4?"
... Any self respecting sport route establisher would place the anchors to where they would be seen.  :roll: ...



Munge said those were not sport climbs.
Title: New Route on Balconies
Post by: salad on March 20, 2006, 01:46:44 PM
also, if  you decide drop zone isnt a good name, let me throw "Sal's Monsterous Steamer" in the hat.



BTW, what ever happened to that sucker?!?!?!  



Mr Mud?????
Title: New Route on Balconies
Post by: The Big on March 20, 2006, 03:39:17 PM
I didn't have anything to do with that shit.
Title: New Route on Balconies
Post by: mungeclimber on March 20, 2006, 07:07:22 PM
mysterious for SURE
Title: New Route on Balconies
Post by: Jody Langford on March 20, 2006, 09:52:58 PM
Quote
Apparently it's so well camou'd that Mudworm couldn't find it.




Why do we camo hangers that can't be seen by anybody but climbers anyway?
Title: New Route on Balconies
Post by: mungeclimber on March 21, 2006, 12:24:05 PM
well, on the camou thing, this is on Machete facing toward the trail.



I figure if one can see the old tat slings, then anything metal will be visible too, if the sun hits it.



So, in my goal to gridbolt machete, i'm being ethically pure in camo'ing.



 :lol:  :lol:
Title: New Route on Balconies
Post by: F4? on March 23, 2006, 12:58:59 PM
Hey Cock,



I'll stick with routes at the Pinnacles. But speaking of climbing in europe...isn't Mr Mud heading there soon? Do you think he'll catch the sport climbing fever?? :lol:
Title: New Route on Balconies
Post by: The Big on March 23, 2006, 01:50:10 PM
Yep got the tickets will be flying out the end of April.  And, no I will not be converting anytime soon so keep your hands off both of my #5 Camalots.
Title: New Route on Balconies
Post by: squiddo on March 27, 2006, 10:29:56 AM
Factor4...the new 2nd bolt on the Gary and Phyllis route was a joy to clip. I have to admit though that I chuckled a bit at the hex head metric "keychain" bolts above. They might slow you down a bit but.....that's about it.



Good stuff
Title: New Route on Balconies
Post by: F4? on March 27, 2006, 12:02:19 PM
Glad to heard you climbed there yesterday. Yah, that new hanger bolt will make the clip easier. The keychain hangers are next on the list.



Did you do the other routes there as well?
Title: New Route on Balconies
Post by: squiddo on March 27, 2006, 12:13:28 PM
Nope I sure didn't but plan on going back. I wanted to go down to the 5.7 but that "down climb" chimney....wee sketch for my taste.
Title: New Route on Balconies
Post by: F4? on March 27, 2006, 12:18:33 PM
Yah, it's best to rap off of the tree.
Title: New Route on Balconies
Post by: squiddo on March 27, 2006, 12:23:40 PM
Yep....I gotta say though that the new routes only help to solidify my thoughts that the West side rivals anything on the East. It's not just the climbing but also factors such as remoteness, less crowds, more rugged.



Oh yeah, and since the brewpub is now gone...even more so. Dropped into the Chalone vinyards and managed to do a tasting..walking out poorer and with vine bottles for future indulgence.
Title: New Route on Balconies
Post by: F4? on March 27, 2006, 01:07:45 PM
Those routes along with the ones one the flumes (Rebecca Sailing) can make for a great day of climbing. I'd start at the flumes to get the am sun and move over. That is unless you want the shade.



How much was the tasting? Free? You and Fish are too civilized, so much for hole in the wall mexican food.
Title: New Route on Balconies
Post by: squiddo on March 27, 2006, 01:35:38 PM
Yep..went to the flume afterwards....good fun.



Chalone was $5 but they waived it with a purchase. They also let us finish the Pacifico in their parking lot:-)



Speaking of civilized....I checked out the B&B Inn at the Pinnacles and got the tour. Damn nice. BBQ's on each deck and views of the Pinnacles.
Title: New Route on Balconies
Post by: mungeclimber on March 27, 2006, 02:34:25 PM
Squiddo, I thot I knew who you were, spill the beans, or someone pm me.



I'm so confused with everyone actually liking Pinnacles these days.
Title: New Route on Balconies
Post by: squiddo on March 27, 2006, 03:19:29 PM
lol..Pinnacles is a pile...it's just: 1) the closest pile around and 2) I enjoy the West side better than the East...though both have enjoyable stuff.



I'm Bratton's old neighbor..Monta Visa Class of '89.



Cheers,

Marc
Title: New Route on Balconies
Post by: mungeclimber on March 27, 2006, 06:04:09 PM
Marc, that's just crazy talk; gorgeous place, no one around, adventure to be had.



madness I tell you



cheers,

Rob
Title: New Route on Balconies
Post by: squiddo on March 27, 2006, 06:19:53 PM
I know....imagine if the place was limestone....it's be swarming with Frogs!!!! Maybe they'd even bolt it using those great annodized colored hangers which gained some popularity in the late 80's! Think about it...I hear Bratton now, "yeaaaah I could bolt a rainbow route."



Love it!
Title: New Route on Balconies
Post by: F4? on March 27, 2006, 09:12:33 PM
Rainbow route??? Remember I'm getting married, no rainbows for me.



Munge, I think people have always loved the Pinnacles and now they have a place to express... wait a minute, who am I fooling, the rock is loose, it's hot, the ticks are huge and your to lazy to keep driving for 2hrs more to the valley.
Title: New Route on Balconies
Post by: mungeclimber on March 27, 2006, 10:08:08 PM
WHO IS TOO LAZY?!?!?!





I drove with Feral on the way up on Saturday morning into a rain storm to the Valley.



I drove back with the Uber.





As far as I can tell, that means I'm hard core. yo!
Title: New Route on Balconies
Post by: squiddo on March 28, 2006, 08:11:37 AM
Munge,



don't take it personally...Brattons just bitter he's tasting cake for his wedding and can't decide between the Chocolate Ganache or the Powerbars.
Title: New Route on Balconies
Post by: mungeclimber on March 28, 2006, 10:01:06 AM
I recommend the chocolate kudos bars for the wedding.