Satori 5.10 - 5.10b

Long approach for El Potrero Chico, but a good climb. Book grade (5.10c) a bit soft.

sick

Because this isn't climbed as often (having one of the longest approaches at Potrero) there was more questionable rock, but we didn't knock anything off and there was no one above us. The difficulty rating is probably a little artificial. It's easy to make it easy by climbing more or less in the corner.

We got lost on the approach which I think doesn't suck that bad if you do it right. Starting from the paved road, head downwards into the wash (or gravel road) a few hundred feet BEFORE going into the park. There's an obvious path down. Then look on the right for what the book calls the miner's road which will be big and obvious - not a little trail - and which goes through a gate at one point. Then look for the well-marked path on your left. Follow the books directions to Bobo and up the rock ridge. Do NOT take the fixed rope when you get to it. Instead, take the left fork. Arrows are painted on a boulder that show you which way for which route but the paint is very faded. One of the books says something about turning right at the end of the approach. That never happens. The trail will hit the rock and turn left. From there you want the second route you come to.

Excellent route, fun climbing, 5.10c pitch isn't difficult, just slightly overhanging. Approach and descent sucks. Little scree landslides, cactus and thorn scratches, and easy to miss trail from creekbed.

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