Direct North Buttress (DNB)

Hard to squeeze more climbing in a day. The first pitch sets the stage - the 5.7 chimney is umm, not fast climbing. The 3rd pitch crux is, umm, difficult, but bolt protected. The 4th pitch includes some 5.9 R climbing, but from there on out route finding and moving quickly are the major difficulties. Spectacular views of the captain, plenty of company with all the swallows. I don't know why anyone would complain about this route.

Don't just take my word for it- Bill Wright had this to say:

"The crux 5.10b pitch, which is quite difficult, is one of the easiest pitches on the route. It has a runout section, but it doesn't take long to lead and it is easy to get past the mantle on aid. As for the rest, You can count the fixed pro on one hand. The belays are marginal. Every pitch is runout, some grossly. Route finding is difficult on a number of pitches and especially the start of the descent. There are offwidths or squeeze chimneys on the 1st, 10th, 11th, and 14th thru 17th pitches. The 17th pitch is the crux, then either the devious 12th pitch or super sandbag 10th pitch."

But, hey, if it were easy it wouldn't be an accomplishment.

P1 - difficult 5.7 chimney. There is apparently a 5.8 option on the pillar to the right of the chimney.

P2 - up nice ramp to right

P3 - move right up ramp, then lt to bolts at mantle in blank face continue up poorly protected face climbing to the left.

P4- poorly protected face climbing.

P5- move right up under a roof - I've heard several people say the undercling traverse out of this roof is just as difficult as the P3 crux.

P6 - wander up poorly protected face left of arete.

P7 - downclimb then up runout 5.7 face

P8- 50' traverse right

P9- continue moving right avoiding a large (30') loose block (if it is still there)

P10-11 - move up large flare

P12-14- flare turns to cracks and chimneys

P15- 5.6 slot huh? Consensus seems to 5.8 chimney

P16-17 - progressively hard and steep chimney climbing.

The route is often rapped from the top of the 5th or 6th pitch - you'll have to leave gear to rap from above the 6th pitch. I think many parties have the intention of finishing but the grades belie the difficulties on the route.

Give yourself some extra time to get across the Kat walk in the daylight. It is not recommended to cross this in the dark. To traverse the Kat walk climb UP 50-100' from the top of the route then beginning traversing down and left on a slabby ledge system. Traversing immediately left from the top of the route will leave you stuck above a bowl. I remained roped up for this section. Once across the face move up for a pitch and through the shrubbery until you find rap stations that head down the gully.

The route starts on the right edge of Middle Cathedral rock at a 1p chimney.

Pro to #3, bolt at the crux. Sketchy descent across the Kat walk.