Spider God

This route is described in Heel & Toe as an alternative start for

Fall Wall

but is actually a demanding climb in itself, rather than a way of getting on to

FW

. I felt that the

FW

was just the easier tail of the climb.

It starts between the

Clam Shell

and TM Chimney from the top of bolders balanced against the face below an obvious diagonal rib. The first moves up the rib to the horizontal crack have the potential for a serious fall, so aim to land back on the bolder and not the ground 3 metres below this if you sketch. Goodish cam placements in the horizontal crack. The crux for me was moving past the first bolt. There are options to the right or straight up on corbels. The rest of the route is sustained, especially if you're pumped from the first crux. The topo photo in F&T indicates 4 bolts, but there are 5. Bolt 3 is a way to the left and requires led out traverses there from bolt 3 and back to bolt 4. Falls tend to be long and unpleasant here. I skipped bolt 5 and traversed a little lower on easier rock to clip the first bolt on FW where the angle eases off a bit. Even climbing with double ropes, we had a lot of rope drag, and one should bear this in mind and extend the sling on bolt 3.

This is a mentally and physically strenuous climb that has not seen much traffic judging from the lack of chalk marks. Comments on the grade would be welcome.

Small cams for the horizontal crack below the first bolt, very small cams or wires for another thin horizontal crack a metre higher if you want. #1.5 or #2 friend for the crack at the headwall of Fall Wall. 8 QDs - optional slings for extension and reducing rope drag.