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Peak Mountain 3

Thunderbird

FA Chris Sharma
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Description

Thunderbird is to Tuolumne what Midnight Lightning or Mandala are to the Valley/Milks. This may be THE classic Tuolumne test piece. The crux sequence begins after you gain the first crimp, meaning everyone and their uncle touches this problem. The bottom crimps can get slippery as a result.

Start on the low sloping rail and move left to a couple of mediocre crimps. Do a big throw to a sharp but slightly incut crimper flake followed by a couple of easy crimping sequences on decent hands/feet. Core up to the sloper rail, mantle said rail, and don't biff the easy 5th class slab to the top.

There's also a left variation called Thunderhead which holds the same grade. Thunderbird seems the physically harder of the two (though I personally have not sent Thunderhead).

Protection

2-3 pads and a spotter