Ascents of Sidewinder

Very lovely route that somehow I found pretty easy for the grade (how? no idea). I compressed and de-compressed rather than a deadpoint for the crux. I was very grateful to have the second bolt stick clipped to start because of the low first bolt and unstable moves and clipping position for 2. One of my favs from today.

A couple falls, but I think I got all the moves. Some day I'm going to get this wired enough to lead it... hopefully before it gets too polished to lead.

I'd say 5.10a. First 3 bolts are not that easy. Need to try leading it.

First time trying, completely missed a key hold. Went up a second time for the red point.

I think I might have the beta for the crux section -- now if I can remember it for next time.

Hard 5.9.

Contrived start, harder than 5.9 if you stay right.

Apparently, the rating was changed to a 10a relatively recently. Start is a tougher than it seems boulder problem and that is the crux. Smooth sailing after.

Sketchy until the third bolt, a little more difficult than a 5.9, the rest is more like 5.8

Sketchy

Two falls on this lead. Disappointing

Bloody hard for a 5.9 -- I think some of it may have become even more polished and slippery than the rock just naturally is. I hand-dogged my way up the start so badly.

The crux is about a third of the way up. The holds in the dihedral crack were so chalked up they were slimy, and a lot of tricky footwork on small holds eventually paid off with a big step up.

Got the first two bolts, but couldn't pull the crux to get to the third bolt. Need to come back and try again sometime.