The Dog

This is a pleasant, 3 pitch route on the Left Book. It may not be quite the quality of

Hiatus

or

White Whale

, but it can provide a good alternative for those who have done the more popular classics enough that they have lost their charm or when the popular classics have queues leading to frustration. This line lies just left of

White Whale

on the 'almost climb anywhere slab.' It follows distinct terrain and is probably harder than

White Whale

or

Manifest Destiny

, but it seems easier than

Hiatus

or

Beelzebub

. The start lies near the nadir of the Left Book.

P1. This starts up in the left-facing dihedral with two loop-able horns above 15 feet up just left of

White Whale

. Follow this dihedral up easy terrain for 30 feet or so, you can sling the first tree of

White Whale

, then the difficulty ratchets up as the dihedral closes tighter than fingers (which feels like the crux) for a few moves. The dihedral opens up just above. There is a good rest before the dihedral fades. Where it fades, face climb (5.7) left with no protection for about 15-18 feet. Find a nice belay on a boulder in a notch. ~110 feet.

P2. From this notch lie two opposing dihedrals, take the right one (left-facing) to a small overlap (#3 Camalot), make a longish reach to a jug, pull over, slot a small cam (green Alien size), move R to a pleasant, easy crack. Run this to a stance. ~165 feet.

P3. Continue up angling left with face & crack moves (perhaps 35 feet) & then angle right to a sloping ramp. Move over the ramp & gain a small R dihedral-like feature, find an old pin, face climb up to a small roof, pass the roof on the R. This bit above the pin may feel slightly runout. ~100 feet. 2.2 stars.

Apparently, P2 has a variation continuing straight over the overlap with 5.6 s climbing (perhaps 70 feet without protection).

Walk off left down the Paperback Ledge.

Standard rack to #3.5 Camalot or #4 Friend. More hand to fist size if you sew up easy cracks.