Moab IV - Day 4
South Six- Shooter Peak
South Six-Shooter Peak was on tap for the day’s
adventure. Excellent reviews of the 5.6 climbing route up the south face
provided plenty of motivation, although comments by many questioned the rating,
most giving it 5.7-5.8.
Another issue immediately reared its head. The driving instructions from both
our sources failed to match the actual route. To make a long story short, we
ended up approaching the route from the north instead of the south - not a bad
turn of events at all, as some of the rock scenery on the north approach was
outrageously cool.
A couple of parties were already on the route as we approached, however the route's meandering
nature and the fact that the rappel to the ground does not cross the climbing
route enables three groups to tackle the route
simultaneously.
Dan took the first lead and I followed his line of beautifully placed cams. The
first pitch was a dream for bomber placements in superbly solid rock.
I took the second lead but failed to get up one particular steep section.
Luckily, Dan was up to the task and sailed effortlessly up the rock that had
almost caused me cardiac arrest!
The third and final pitch was something else. Again, Dan sailed up it with
relative ease, but his comment, “Ooh, Andy you’re not going to like that”, did
not fill me with peaceful, fluffy thoughts.
The crux of the pitch was a mantle onto a small ledge on an essentially blank
wall. Only an exceedingly generous belay from Dan above got me onto that ledge
and then up to the summit. Another stellar lead by Dan.
After enjoying a splendid summit panorama we rapped down and returned more or less
the way we came, taking in another round of fantastic rock scenery.
The consensus on South Six-Shooter was an excellent climb on some of the best
rock we had experienced so far in Moab. And in amazing surroundings.
Outstanding!!
South Six-Shooter peak, as seen from our north approach
Looking north gets you a good view of North Six-Shooter Peak
Dan doesn't look upset we went the wrong way again!
These massive, rounded slabs of rock, often perched atop small columns, were one of the highlights of the approach
There's one
Dan under another
Another highlight was finding this cool route up through a seemingly impassable jumble of rock
Dan escapes of confines of the narrow passageway
And then we are onto this very alien looking landscape, with "streams" of gray sediment running through it
Approaching the climb
Dan on the super fun first pitch
Another climber rappels, as we continue to ascend
Looking down at Dan from the start of my short-lived attempt of pitch 2
A nice gap in the rock to squeeze through, with North Six-Shooter in the background
Looking up the final (and scariest) pitch. Dan is ready to give me a very tight belay!
Dan at the summit
Looking down to the valley far below
North Six-Shooter commanded some serious photo attention
Close-up
Two single rope rappels get you down. The first is a little tricky but the second is sweet!
Dan near the bottom of the first rappel
Leaving the awesome rock of South Six-Shooter. Another party can be seen on the route.
Happy Dan, with the objective behind
During the return trip, we detoured a little over to the west side
I
went out onto the rock in front, but ran like hell when Dan said he
thought he saw it moving (still don't know if he was joking!)
Fantastic scenery on this side of the peak
Moab is a smorgasbord of balancing acts!
Of course I challenged Dan to climb it!
Regrettably leaving South-Six Shooter
Another section of fascinating terrain
The rock at the left had a very cool "burnt" look to it
Dan searches for the route we used to get up
...found it
Nothing better than having something as spectacular as North Six-Shooter to background other spectacular scenery
Same as above
The End
