Ascents in Pierces Pass West Side as Retreat

Seconded the two first pitches clean.

I started the lead up the 3rd pitch (23) but needed a take after barely making it across to the horizontal break after the first two carrots. It was actually already very difficult for me, especially with several holds wet, slimey, sandy and broken. Moving up from here was even hard for me to aid, and after taking so long to progress beyond the next bolt up, I decided to bail (down climbed using sling assistance on carrots and then traversed left along ledge to double rings on the climb over).

Pretty cool moves but I'd say the 23 pitch is more like grade 24/25.

We got on this thinking it was the iron throne. First pitch is a pile of choss featuring a nice fridge sized death block ready to pop out. 2nd and 3rd pitch are quality though on great rock. We bailed before the final pitch, was able to get to the belay for pitch 2 rapping on double 60s from the top of pitch 3.

Chickened out at the blank arete crux