Walk on the Wide Side

Like the other trad crack routes at Sleeping Beauty, this is a little ugly and a little dirty and often a little wet. If not for that, this and the other crack routes would be 2 stars.

Start: as you traverse right on Ledge 2, there is a gap that you can pass either by squeezing behind a tree or by lowering down and then climbing back up. Just beyond this are the bolted climbs Wings of Desire and MLK and then the wide crack of Walk on the Wide Side.

P1: 5.9 sustained at the 5.8/5.9 level. Climb the hand crack left of the wide crack (

MLK

also climbs this crack) to the first bolt on MLK. Step right into the wide crack (#4 Friend). Move up into the slot and climb it with fun stemming with small gear (green/yellow/red Aliens). Optional belay above the slot. You could clip a bolt up and left on

MLK

for the belay. Continue up a pleasant hand crack with feet mostly on big slopers. The crack widens as it approaches an overhang with a spike of rock sticking out. Use a #3 Camalot. Stem up and grab the spike. It's a bit spooky, but seems to be solid. You can get a good nut above the spike. Stem up higher then step left and up. The

MLK

anchor can be seen to your left. Continue up a lower angle left facing corner with a few more jams to a good ledge on the right and the anchor, 115'.

P1 variation: the wide crack right of the regular start can be climbed at about 10a if you use the many knobs on its left side. It would be much harder if you used only crack technique. You'll want a #5 Camalot if you lead this.

P2: 5.7, sport. Angle right from the anchor to a "rib" and the first bolt. Continue up on pleasant climbing to the anchor. Since this anchor has no rings, continue straight right then up a bit to the anchor on

Immaculate Deception

.

Per

Dan Raymond

: the P2 anchor now has quicklinks.

P1 is trad: a single set small cams (green Alien or smaller), doubles in hand size to #3.5 Friend/#3 Camalot, #4 Friend or #3.5 Camalot; one set nuts; 15+ draws; and some long slings. The P1 anchor is 2 bolts with rings. P2 is sport, 5.7, 4 bolts to a 2 bolt anchor with NO rings. To rap, traverse right and up a bit to the

Immaculate Deception

anchor. The jams are comfy, so no tape or crack gloves are necessary.

Per

Dan Raymond

: the P2 anchor now has quicklinks.