The Right Stuff
5.11b PG13 trad · 2 pitches · 220 ft · ★★☆☆
Route 2 of 10 from left to right on Challenger Wall, with Explorer on its left and Space Cowboy on its right. Challenger Wall has 10 routes, from 5.10b PG13 to 5.11d; 1 is harder, and 1 other is the same grade.
First ascent: Jay Smith & Paul Van Betten - 1986
Description
The Right Stuff is a wild route that climbs a series of enormous flakes on the left side of the Challenger Wall. Care must be taken when climbing and protecting this route. Begin about 50' left of Challenger at a small left-facing corner. Climb these corners and grooves to an obvious roof/undercling crack. Jam out the left side of this and work up and left on a horizontal. Gingerly mantle up to a massive flake and climb the right side of it (increasingly more solid sounding). At the top, hand traverse left and step up into an obvious right-facing corner. Protect and climb a punchy crux to a good cam in a horizontal and make one last mantle onto a ledge. Belay here or lower to the ground. There is a second pitch (5.10a) that continues up the right-facing corner above to a wide roof with a large chockstone.
Protection
Standard rack with a few extra 0.75" to 2" pieces. Plenty of slings and a 70m rope for getting down.
Access
Timed-entry reservation required to enter the Scenic Drive October to May.
Wet rock: Aztec sandstone is fragile when wet. Do not climb for at least 24 to 48 hours after rain or snowmelt.
More routes on Challenger Wall
- X-15 5.11a R
- Adventure Punks 5.10d
- Lost in Space 5.11d
- Voyager 5.11b
- Challenger 5.10d PG13
- Jupiter II 5.11+
- Space Cowboy 5.10b PG13
- Enterprise 5.11a R
- Explorer 5.10d