Hole In The Pants (5.7)

Location of Climb: Calico Basin
Aspect of Face: North
Time Category: Single Pitch

Intro

This is an obvious line on the shaded face to the right of the Winter Heat Wall, and is a good warm-weather climb. Approach as if going to the Winter Heat Wall by following the climbers trail up out of the creek bed. As the trail gets less steep, bear right (west) to an obvious crack which ascends the center of the rock face.

Climb

Pitch 1: Either follow the crack up or start to the right of the crack and move up to a small ledge. The first 10-15 feet of the climb has lichens on the rock surface, but these disappear before the ledge. Move up past a short off-width and easier climbing to a large ledge at the base of a steep face. Ascend left along a ramp to the base of a right-facing corner and belay. Sling pro well before the ramp to avoid rope drag. 120 feet, 5.3

Pitch 2: Climb the cracks just to the right of the corner up to the point where the corner overhangs, then step into the corner and follow it to the top. The holds are sandy and sloping through the crux, but the crack takes good pro. 70 feet, 5.7

Descend to the left (east) and rap from either the Winter Heat anchors or the tree at the top of A-OK.

Gear

Small to mid-sized cams and some passive pro will be adequate for this climb. Not much pro is needed on the first pitch, and the second pitch is relatively short. The belay takes cams in the .5 - 1 inch range.