Handcracker Direct

Rossiter calls this route "a near-classic," and for good reason. Consistent pitches, easy routefinding, and solid crack climbing is what this is all about. We had a smile after every pitch!

P1: Scramble up to the chimney that is The Mail Ridge, and go slightly right. Start climbing here. Go up the short left facing dihedral created by a large triangular block. Gain the top of said block, and move right into another left-facing dihedral with a slight bulge. Move over and follow the crack up (crux of pitch) to the nice ledge. Try belaying a little to the left of where you end up on this ledge.

P2: Attack the roof and follow the crack up the right-facing dihedral about 15 feet left of where the previous pitch left you. Follow up through a slot, and belay on an open face before you get to the large flake that continues on your path up the right side of the wall. 5.9.

P3: Follow this flake up - and what fun! Super-positive, and nice and airy. Use your extra #3 here to protect, as it's a little blank. Rossiter suggests moving left halfway up this flake and continuing on the arete, but I think it's just as fun to follow the flake up and out. Belay anywhere you want on the great break ledge at the end of this flake. 5.7.

P4: The crux pitch starts about 15 feet, 90 degrees to the left of the direction of travel you were maintaining as you finished the flake. It's a steep, slightly meandering hand crack that ends with a small roof, which you surmount by passing to the left and then stepping left once over to a great belay stance. Steep and sustained but with a number of good spots to place pro, this pitch is a blast! 5.10-.

P5: Shoot up and slightly right, following the crack from the belay stance up to the summit and enjoy the view! Maybe 5.5.

Pitches 2-3 and 4-5 are easily linked; many people find this better as a 3 pitch climb.

Standard rack up to #3.5 Camalot, plus an extra #2 and #3 Camalot for crux fourth pitch is nice (or else creative use of tri-cams).