Columns South, The

The South Columns is a great winter climbing area.  Bring a standard trad rack for the climbs.  There may be a rap route near the center of the ridge near a tree.  If not continue walking right to easy ground for a walk off descent.  Most climbs are one pitch although there are multi-pitch climbs.

Climbs, left to right follow.

1.  Cheap Thrills (5.6 A1):  This is the old bolt ladder up the steep clean face.  There should be an old fixed anchor at the top.

2.  Mark’s Crack (5.10):  the crack is harder than it appears.  There is a fixed anchor at the end.

3.  Unknown:  something goes up this weakness.

4.  Dirty Deeds (5.8):  two or three shorter pitches takes one to the top via a right facing chimney.  There was an older name for the route.  Watch for possible bees on the route.

5.  Second Fissure (5.8-5.11?):  there are several climbs (perhaps 4) in the steep area near the right facing dihedral.  One climb is called Kumquat.

6.  The Best (5.10):  this crack climb goes up about 70 feet via a left facing off width section to a fixed anchor.  There is now a second 5.10 pitch to the route.

7.  The Worst (5.9):  another good but easier crack climb goes to a shared anchor with The Best.

8.  Cherry (5.8):  find the next good looking weakness which has an eastern aspect at the top.  There is a one or two pitch climb here.  Look for a roof which has an easy escape to the right.