johnnyb336's Logbook (155 ascents)

I love slab climbing so I assumed that I would have no difficulties with the slick start, especially since it is a 5.7. I was proven wrong. I slipped in the low crux section and fell, my first on a low grade route. Talk about a humbling experience. Luckily, I was able to place a nut down low. It didn't look like a good placement but it held and I weigh about 230 lbs. I had my partner finish lowering me to the ground so I could shake it off and start over. I was a little more aggressive this time and made it through the crux with no issues but I was now a little nervous. The rest of the route went with ease and was easily protected but I did proceed much more carefully. I don't know that I would recommend leading this route after seeing how dangerous it can be. Just be generous with the pro initially. There is a set of rap rings at the top of the route.

This was our third route of the day. I lead both pitches. The start is quite interesting due to heavy polish from many years of use. It took me a few minutes to get the moves figured out. Mostly because I placed a cam in a hand jam that that was needed. Once I removed the cam, it all came together. It is a little tough for the grade. The first half of the second pitch was fairly fun too. I just followed the most difficult rock up to the trees. We then moved back down and around towards Gemini Crack. We only had a 70M rope so we chose the lowest pine tree for a rappel as none of the rings in this area are low enough for a 70. The tree already had bail gear attached to it. We were able to get down to the ledge above Left Up and use the set of rings there to get to the ground. Not the greatest route in the world but it is worth climbing at least once.

I don't generally second but my climbing partner wanted to lead something and decided on this route. This is a good warm-up for this section of the mountain. It is fairly self explanatory as you can see the clean rock the line follows. Well protected with no diffiult moves.

There were several parties climbing the routes we came to climb so we decided to give this a try since it was our first time to this area of the mountain. It was ok for what it is but a little boring. I guess it would be a good beginner route. If you have limited time and want the most bang for your buck, move on.

Lead all four pitches. The second and start of the third pitches were the most fun. The pro was actually quite good even though it seemed sparse at times. Excellent moderate route that I would highly recommend.

We spent a week in the Brevard area and climbed three days. I wish we would have climbed more but I now have more reason to return. This was the last route we climbed. I lead both pitches. On the second pitch, I decided against taking the easier right crack and continued straight up the left crack. Good pro and fairly easy climbing, what more can you ask for?

This was a fun little route for what it is. I have a hard time calling it a multi-pitch route. We combined both pitches and still had plenty of rope. It is easily protected and makes for a good trad lead for those looking for a casual climb.

Immediately after climbing Autumn Speaks, we rapped down to the tree ledge and I led all three pitches. I like the texture of the rock in this area, it really provides excellent grip. As we normally do, I went ahead and combined the top two pitches. It is a quick route. It only took about 30 minutes for us both to top-out at a normal pace for a couple of fat boys. This route should be on everyone's Stone Mtn to-do list.

The weather is starting to get a little more reasonable so it is getting time to start hitting it hard. My partner didn't feel that good about our last ascent and wanted to try again. Plus, it only takes an hour or less to get to the top from the ground when doing all five pitches. On the third pitch, we climbed the slab just left of the corner without touching the corner or flakes until it was time to climb over the corner to reach the belay. I ran out the pitch with zero gear to make it more interesting. I combined pitches four and five with a 70M to save time.

This is basically just an alternate start to Grand Funk Railroad or can be done as a single pitch route. We chose the latter since it was too hot and we have already climbed Grand Funk many times.

The route starts down and to the right of Grand Funk Railroad and Taken for Granite. It is really easy to see since it just starts where the "tracks" from Grand Funk intersect the ground. Follow the left angling dikes up towards the first bolt on Taken for Granite. There is a small flake that I was able to stick a #1 BD C3 into before the bolt. Don't expect much else. From the bolt, head up towards the second bolt of Grand Funk and then on to the first pitch belay for Grand Funk. The section between the two bolts is a bit thin and the rock is polished.

I didn't really have any troubles but I was very cautious and tried not to rely on my shoes. It would have been considerably easier in cooler weather. I only gave it a PG13 because the rock was too hot for good traction.