North Face

If you're crossing the creek to climb

Hound Dog

, pack some trad gear for a taste of "Dalke 5.9."

The North Face begins at the

Hound Dog

belay and follows an unfortunately brushy, right-facing corner left to a pedestal facing an alcove. Climb a thin, clean crack up and out of the alcove to a face and a second alcove. Jamming and stemming through the second alcove is the crux. Belay on the ledge above. Either climb another short crack and finish on the second pitch of

Cosmosis

or traverse north along the ledge, downclimb insecure and exposed rock (belay advised) to the anchors on

Freak on a Leash

, and rap back to the base of the route.

The North Face was rated 5.9 in the first edition of

High Over Boulder.

Some climbers may find it a little stiff for its currrent .10a rating.

#5 RP - #2.5 Friend. Save #6-9 Stoppers and/or small cams for the upper crack.