Soldier of Fortune

Soldier of Fortune is a classic, technical face climbing route which favors out of the box thinking and good footwork. It also requires staying calm under fire during the .9+ PG-13 top section while finding some tricky placements at good stances, however you are a ways up in the air at that point.

Start to the right of Smiling Jay in a large left facing dihedral. Cool holds, and good stemming in an open dihedral lead you to a bulge with a series of large rails which take you out right past the first bolt to a good stance. Move up onto the zig-zagging rail, clip the second bolt, and you are into the crux. Pick your way past some tricky moves, devious holds, and the last bolt.

After the crux section paddle your way up stellar holds and 5.9 terrain keeping an eye out for gear. Follow the seam system up through a section of welded flakes, and one more .10- stem move with very good gear just below the anchors.

This was the first route I established at the Waterfall and is still one of my favorites. While it’s not a remarkable route, once you know it, it's one of those lines you can do over and over and enjoy it every time. Don't miss the hidden pocket rest stance out left, just before committing to the technical crux at bolt # 3.

Right side, middle section

3 bolts, double set of TCUs from 000-.4, (1) #2 camalot, small/medium wires. 2 bolt anchor with Climb Tech mussy hooks provided by the ASCA at the courtesy of the NAZCC.