Keystone

An old aid line put up by Rick Kollath: rusty angled piton from those days still sits inside a crack near the top. Engaging and fun route that has it all: stemming, mantels, cracks, burly crux, and loose rock -- you name it. Most of the climbing is 5.10/11- with good gear. The crux, which is the exit from the characteristic “keyhole” alcove, is a tricky 5.12- protected by a bolt.The route has recently been cleaned from vegetation and most loose flakes and blocks. The only loose block I did not clean was inside the keyhole alcove. I did not want to dislodge it as it sits at the base of a small pillar. It is marked with an ‘X’. The route can be climbed avoiding the block.

Keystone starts just to the right of “Sunday Excursion”, roughly 100ft to climber’s right (north) from ”Gun Fight”. It can easily be identified by the signature keyhole-shaped alcove near the top (see pictures).

2 bolts, cams up to #3 (but mostly small), small to medium nuts.