★★★ Sour Mash 5.10a

Sour Mash is one of Red Rocks finest climbs. With varied climbing, tons of thin cracks, face climbing cruxs, and an intriguing traversing roof to crack. It features a mix of styles, between traditionally protected and well-bolted pitches. The bolted cruxs with the fifth pitch being the crux pitch. Small cams to #3 Camalot are good to have.

The start is easily identified by a large and deep arch on the R side of Black Velvet Wall. The route follows discontinuous cracks through the R edge of the arch's roof and then angles slightly back L as it ascends the steep wall above.

1. 150' 5.10a belay at the base or solo up to the next ledge to allow for less rope drag. The climbing starts up at a flake, then moves over easy ground into the steep blank L facing corner. Followed by layback moves and then a crimpy traverse L. Once above, easy climbing leads to several places where you can setup a belay below a roof above with a tree in between.

2. 80' 5.9 Head R from the tree to avoid rope drag. Ascend easily to below the broken roof area. Jugs to a small roof section up and over into a broad crack. Traverse R along the crack as it narrows. Keep trending R until you reach the belay station.

3. 180' 5.8 A long pitch broken up with easy rest places. Move up and slightly R on large holds into a corner. Continue out and L over face onto ledge with a rappel/mid-belay station. Then up the small corner above to a crack. Continue up to anchor and small ledge on the R.

4. 180’ 5.9 A little run out. Up the long L leaning crack on good rock and out L on crack. Over bulge to crux directly below anchor.

5. 90' 5.10a The crux pitch. Up crack with delicate moves until you reach a bulge. Pull up and over then trend R to anchor just below the small roof.

6. 75' 5.10a 5.9+ Over roof above the station to steep ground to a crack. Trend up R from the crack to enter the blank area, up to anchor.

Descend via rappelling off the middle of the giant roof.