Shadow of Death

A striking line, the Shadow of Death climbs the obvious, splitter handcrack just uphill and to the right of Megaform. Follow the amazing crack as it gradually widens to a squeeze, then wriggle your way through the flare and to an alcove belay just beneath a roof. Step right into a splitter corner that eventually narrows from wide hands to fingers through a series of airy roofs. At the top of the finger crack, step left into a slot, then past a short section of loose blocks to the rim. With a bit more traffic, this stellar, varied route is destined to become one of the cirque's best at the grade. Descend west along a faint trail that eventually deposits you at the mouth of the cirque.

A standard rack: bring at least one #5 Camalot--or equivalent. Doubles in hands to fists recommended.