The Wisdom

This airy, overhanging excursion is a must-do for those comfortable at the grade. While never fatal, this route is quite serious in a couple of places, including the 11d crux boulder problem, which you encounter off an exposed hanging belay on the third pitch. Alternately delicate, thuggy and heady, The Wisdom is arguably the best continuously free route on the Roof Wall.

P1: (10d s) Begin on the ramp about fifty feet up and left of Temporary Like Achilles and Dangerous Acquaintances. The route face climbs right from a small stance at the top of the double cave-slots, moving through a scoop past greasy laybacks and a so-so fixed pin to easier face moves above. Protect when you can.

P2: (11b) A completely unique experience! From the alcove at the top of the first pitch jug haul up to a bolt at the base of the Scary Canary dihedral. Clip then bolt then, counter to your instincts, downclimb right along the lip of the roof on a good rail (pumpy) until you can roll over onto the smooth, tan face above the lip. Belay under the small roof at double Metolius anchor bolts. This pitch is commonly combined with pitch 1.

P3: (11d/12a s) The crux. Undercling right off the hanging belay to an thin-walled but solid hole/flake. Load it up with 2"+ gear, then crank straight up on bouldery, commiting moves. The handholds are good but the footholds suck through here; a fall from the top of this sequence will send you for a good 30-footer. Have your belayer be mindful not to drop you beneath the big roof another 10 feet down, as sharp rails at the lip might cut your rope! Easier, better protected climbing up a R-facing corner leads you to a small belay stance.

P4: (5.9) Move up and right from the belay to the varnished plaque of rock, clipping a lone bolt and executing a series of hideously desperate slab moves (this is Psycho Slab) to reach the safety of the Upper Ramp.

Your standard Eldo rack, plus a fairly healthy selection of RP's and small cams. Don't forget two big hand-sized pieces for the crux pitch (#2 Camalot size, roughly).