Ascent Notes for: Ginger Cracks - 5.9 Average Rating : 4.21/5

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Fantastic Climb. Probably the most exposed I've been to date. Same as the others say though, The first five pitches are fantastic. After that, not really worth it. The descent was great though! Very nice rock without many "chicken heads" to get your rope caught on when you pull it.

Pretty cool route, not a destination climb though. Best to top out on the short unprotected slab above the notch but rapping after the fifth pitch isn't a bad idea for subsequent ascents, especially considering that the rock get worse as one ascends. The second pitch was most fun of all, pitches 2-5 are the only really good ones. Doesn't need many bolts, an arguement could be made that the retro job should be hacked. Only rap with one rope from the first station in the notch, tied knots tend to get stuck in there, watch out for the nasty cactus garden at the bottom of this rappel. Short well protected crux section, probably Gunks 5.7+. Swapped leads with B. Parry, I took the evens.

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Last two pitches are not up to par with the rest of the climb. If someone fixed some slings at the top of pitch 5, you could rap the route from there. Oh, and don't let your partner sucker you into making the first rappel. It's a huge cactus-infested pit of despair down there!

I thought all the pitches were about 5.8-5.9. I lead about 5.7 and had a very difficult time with p3. I suck at crack technique - so I had to take on a piece. The last pitch is a huge sandbag too - more madatory jamming. Breaking the last pitch in two could make things less intimidating for a newer leader.

came back for another ascent of this fine classic route- even better than i remember it being. forget Crimson- get on this route- a much better experience and definitely a more relaxed descent!

Good route. We did it in 5 pitches with gear belays. Nearly had an epic when our rope got stuck (in the dark) on the first rappel. Had to solo up as high as I could to cut the rope - with a rock. Cut about 50 feet off and did not know we would make it down. Had to leave an old stopper and hex for a rappel at the ledge as our head lamps went out.

One of the best routes I have done in Red Rocks. The last pitch has horable rope drag/ protection but the rest on the route is absolutly amazing.

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