December's Children

The large east face of Wells Peak is divided into an upper and lower half by a thick vertical band of black diorite. December's Children ascends the lower wall via the first continuous crack system to the right of the huge blank face. Excellent rock quality, but a bit dirty in the cracks - 38 years may have passed between ascents. Approach via Wells Canyon; expect 1.5 hours to the base.

We did a "direct start" and added a technical pitch to the route. It is likely that the FA party traversed into the base of the big chimney (P2) on 3rd/4th class slabs & ledges from the left.

P1) Up double cracks in a short RF corner to lower angle cracks above. Belay at the base of the huge chimney. 5.8 100'

P2) Up the wide and blocky chimney, step right to belay atop a pillar. Old-school 5.9 150'

P3) Bear-hug the hanging dagger and up a thin-to-hand crack in a corner, then over a big roof. Belay on blocks, 5.9+ 120'

P4) Up the short mossy corner to lower-angle hand cracks and chimney. Over another big roof, then step right to belay at a flake at the base of a LF corner. 5.9 120'

P5) Up the steep and somewhat dirty hands/fists corner for ~50', then step right around the arete when things start to look hard. Up and right on ledges to belay atop a pillar. Crux, 5.10 100'

P6) Continue up cracks right of the huge bushy dihedral, working to the right when possible. 5.8 120'

P7) Easier blocky cracks lead to the loose diorite ledge atop the wall. 5.7 100'

See photos for the route. Descend off right down the black diorite band with many sections of loose 4th and 5th class downclimbing. Eventually, cross over a diorite rib and into the gully between the diorite and granite to the west. Near the base, the gully cliffed-out and a single-rope rappel was required (we left a big stopper and biner here).

Doubles to 3", single 4", stoppers. No fixed gear.