- Edit (TBD)
Description
This climb beckons as you walk by. You may not have planned to climb it, but if its in your grade you'll probably stop and start flaking your rope.
The first ascent of Independence Wall was on Independence Day, 2017. Most multipitch climbs at Slick Rock are slightly or way runout - it is the character of the area. However Independence Wall (and Ice House Roof) is well protected, plus this one has rings at 30M and 62M so you can do it with one 70M rope. It is an excellent introduction climb before you do, for example, Crystal Wall Route or Crystal Blue Persuasion, both a bit more bold. The climb is only two pitches, or one long 62M pitch. It does not top out, you come down the way you came up.
The first pitch starts at 5.8 and then 5.7. The second pitch starts with a headwall, but it is highly featured on great rock and goes at 5.7.
You can also use the anchor at the first belay to TR the fatty corner crack to the left, but it is easier than it looks.
Location
This is just to the left of Crystal Chute and to the right of big fat crack that is formed by a large pinnacle. This climb is not on the topo, but is between climbs 3 and 4.
Another way to locate the climb is to, as you walk along the base trail, watch for a large dike that slopes down in about a 45 degree diagonal from high on the dome. The dike hits the deck right at the start of Independence Wall.
Protection
All bolts - lots of bolts (compared with other climbs in the area). Double bolts and rings at both anchors.
Routes in Crystal Wall Area
- 3Independence Wall5.8Sport