North Pillar Direct

This is a variation to

North Pillar Left

that largely follows its own line, just right of

NPL

. It takes a direct start to the North Pillar, following slabs and flakes for 3 pitches before joining the top of

NPL's

first pitch.

At the base of the north face, right of the large gully where

North Pillar Left

begins, locate a small roof about 40 feet up. The first pitch goes around the right side of this roof.

P1 - (5.5 R, 180 feet). Climb nice slabs passing the right side of the roof mentioned above. Continue straight up...at times you can step left or right and climb steep grass ledges, but I chose to stay on the rock. Belay at a nice grassy ledge with a hand-sized crack.

P2 - (5.7, 170 feet). Keep going straight up slabs and cracks to the base of a bulging wall. Take a steep flake system on the left side of this wall with good pro, then belay on another grassy ledge.

P3 - (5.4, 60 feet). A moderate ramp leads up to the base of the north pillar directly above you. Climb the right side of this ramp...there is a grassy gully just to your right. Belay on a small ledge with a splitter hand crack for an anchor.

P4 - (5.6 R, 200 feet) This pitch shares terrain with

North Pillar Left

but stays right for a more direct finish. Follow the nice hand crack for about 40 feet up and left, then angle right and straight up the pillar. Pass a cluster of loose blocks on the right, then stretch the rope out to a ledge at the base of a blank slab.

P5 - (5.5 R, 150 feet). Boulder up the clean slab with no gear, then follow easier ground along an exposed ridge to a belay at a large block.

North Pillar Left

goes left on the ridge to an optional 5.7 step.

Some 4th class scrambling gains the summit from here.

Descent - to return to the base of the route, head west along the west ridge passing 2-3 towers on the right until it is possible to drop down a steep gully to the right (north). The further west you go along the ridge, the easier the descent will be. Once you exit the descent gully, veer right (east) and meander back to the base.

Standard rack to 3 inches. Doubles of 1-3 inches can be helpful for the third belay.