Basalt of the Earth

This line, along with its neighbor Callused Earth Skin, lie on the extreme west end of the West End Wall. Despite the diminutive height, this climbs quite well and serves up a pleasant variety of fun crack and face. It offers one of the best warm-up options on the South Side.

The bulk of the line ascends a wavy, slabby crack that varies from tight hands to fingers peppered with good face features. As the angle steepens lock up a short stretch of fingers in a shallow corner and reach high to latch the wrapper jug which commences the steep face climbing finish. Clip a bolt (a little awkward as it was placed for optimal rock quality, not optimal clipping) and yard up excellent juggy sidepulls and edges, working slightly right and then moving back left. Finish on a blocky topout.

Far west end of the West End Wall. It's pretty much the end of the cliff-band. To find the top-out, look for two tiny pine trees standing side-by-side near the edge and rap just west (skier's left) of these. The rap tree sits back from the edge a good ways (50' or so). Belay from a ledge with a 2 bolt anchor (shared with Mental Block).

1 bolt, (1X).3 (2X).4 .5 .75 (1X) #1 BD C4 sizes The belay takes a #2 and #3 Camalots.