South Sneak

This route "sneaks" around the large overhang on the South Block (the southern and lower summit of the Second Flatiron). Approach this route by following the trail to the Second Flatiron, then continue up along the left (south) side of the second Flatiron for several hundred yards (past the start of Dodge Block).

Roach calls this route 5.0, but I soloed it immediately after Dodge Block and it felt significantly harder. You have to do careful route finding on this route; perhaps I did not go the easiest way. This route is not in Rossiter's guide.

Start up a big slab which is at the left side of the big overhang, about 150' up. Climb up to the base of the left side of the overhang and belay. Next comes the sneaky crux where you want to bypass the overhang to the left. Climb up a smooth trough around the overhang, eventually passing (or belaying at) two bolts. This is not the slot immediately left of the overhang (harder than 5.2), but lies 10+' left of this. This section feels exposed because it is smooth and the wall steepens below you to the west.

Continue scrambling up an easy slab just right of a huge pine tree. At this point you can easily scramble off to the west. To continue to the summit, you must diagonal up and right at some point to join the south ridge. Exactly the easiest place to do this is not obvious. Once on the South Ridge, romp up easily to the summit, passing right over a cool arch (this arch is visible from Chataqua if you know where to look).

Scramble easily off the summit of the South Block by heading north and then west, or you can continue to the main summit (Pullman Car) at 5.6.

Standard Flatiron rack.