Routes : North America : United States : Alabama : Northern : Sandrock (Cherokee Rock Village) : Holiday Block : **Pump Handles

**Pump Handles - 5.9

Average Rating : 3.38 out of 5
Route sequence (left to right): 1
Route Summary | Ascent Notes (14)

First Ascent:

unknown

Type of Climb:

Rock (Trad)

Safety Rating:

Pitches:

Protection:

Medium to large gear (up to #4 Camalot or equivalent)

Length (ft):

Consensus Ratings
Difficulty	5.9
Safety Rating	G
Exposure
Rock Quality
Scenery
Fun Factor

Description:

As the name suggests, the holds are bomber on this route (once you get past the start). Lots of great placements for gear.

Starts just left of Kennel Club, directly below a prominent slot at the top of the wall. Climb a short corner up to a vertical crack; continue up the crack to the overhanging slot, and pull through it on good holds to the top.

Descent Options:

The beefy bolted anchors at the top have no rap rings, so top out and head to the east end of the block to find a rap station.

Submitted by: saxfiend on 2007-03-26
Views: 393
Route ID: 29286

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14 Ascents Recorded

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Read all 14 ascent notes

Ratings
Difficulty	5.9
Safety Rating	G
Exposure
Rock Quality
Scenery
Fun Factor

Onsight ascent by: jkdfjkdfjkdfjkd on 2009-07-06 (View Climbing Log)

Opening is thin

People who say this is 5.7 probably didn't lead it on gear. The opening is thin, with marginal gear, and slightly tenous moves...enough of a combination to wake you up. The top, despite the notes here, is fine as long as you keep moving and use the good holds available to you...it feels a little spooky because your last piece is 8 feet below and underneath you, as the top bulges a little. The final move on sloper could feel scary if you were pumped, I suppose. I belayed from the top, and rapped from there using the anchors, no problem. We used to rap by slinging the horn...the anchors are better.

Added: 2009-07-21