Did you note the ramp leading right from the mid-anchor belay? Holmgren gave me a nod to turn that into a variation of the 2nd pitch - if I can still get up the first pitch, that is.
I looked at it repeatedly from across the way and below yesterday (a lot of trips out there lately). I discovered it the hard way. Climbing up past the second bolt on p1, I slung a prominent knob to protect the moves to the anchor (which I could not see from below). I was lured by the ramp to the right (LOLR) and climbed over that way and up a bit - looking for the anchor. It was at that point I realized the anchor was over to the left, across a nasty-looking section of face (not great rock, bulging and thin). I had to use some trickery to get back over there. Luckily there was a big knob above me on the left. I slung that to protect the left traverse and difficult/long reach to the upper anchor bolt. Once clipped, I took the sling off and made a scary/exposed step through series of moves to reach the anchor - whew!
I was tempted to place a first bolt and get the variation started after realizing my predicament but I was evidently more determined to get back on track and finish the old route. I remembered you mentioning Jack giving you the go ahead on the variation.
I was leading with my bolt bag just in case. I drilled a replacement bolt at the anchor before bringing Kat up and continuing onto the second pitch. I had a really hard time seeing the bolts on pitch 2. The sun was glaring and the bolts had stainless SMC hangers. Those hangers can be so hard to see against the gray, lichen-covered rock. The first bolt isn't too far off the belay (stance after 20 feet). I could see its profile from the belay but still had a hard time finding it once I cast off. I had all but given up on finding the second bolt, when I finally spied it along what I perceived as the natural line - but not the LOLR. That second bolt is easily 50 feet from the first one. Both lead bolts on p2 are stars with stainless SMC hangers - so the stars are pretty rusty from the mixed metal - the hangers are still shiny (but they have a tiny footprint). The lead bolts and mid-anchor bolts are all stars with Leepers - rusty hangers and sleeves with no rust on the nail heads. All the bolts are tight and some appear to have glue residue showing. Bruce has warned me about glued-in stars on Holmgren routes.
It looked like that initial section up the variation might go with a couple bolts (and definitely lead to easier ground) but the rock didn't feel or look all that great (first impression). There is also a bulge/lip to get past.
