Balancing Act - West Tower

Approach: Start on south side of Mendenhall towers, several hundred feet west of Mountaineer's Route start. Start below gully leading out from the large perched basin on the west tower(Tower #1).

Climb: P1: Climb 5.7 terrain up gully to intermediate ledge. P2: Climb up through 5.10 offwidth to gain low angle gully system leading to upper faces. Scramble up gully to base of upper faces. P3: Climb 5.8 terrain to gain base of razor-edge flake leading up and leftwards. P4: Follow razor-edge flake, 5.9, moving up and left towards prominent red arete two pitches away. P5: Boulder moves off the belay to gain large flake leading to the red corner system. Climb thin right facing corner up to roof traverse to the right and the belay. 5.11 P6: Climb thin crack and face moves up the red face in large right facing corner, traverse left to arete when possible. Climb arete into shallow corner inset onto the arete. Climb corner to the top of the arete. Belay below final roof. 5.11 P7. Climb final 5.10 roof around chockstone to gain easier terrain on ridgeline. Can likely be linked with P6.

See route overlay images for additional guidance.

Follow easy terrain to summit of West Tower.

Descend face to the climber's left of the route.

Standard alpine clean rack