Dark Crystal

[yetiman]

It's been a long time since I've been up to Index and one of the last times we were there we did a climb called Dark Crystal.3 pitches 11a,7,11c. Does the climb get done much? Is that the consensus on grading for that climb.

[Mr._Natural]

yetiman, i haven't done it but passed by it once about ten years ago on the way to the dihedral. the first pitch looked quite dirty and it wasn't the type of feature that, to me demands to be climbed, but props for sending that thing. the online cummins guide lists the difficulty of the pitches as 11b, 7, 11b.

[bigwalling]

I don't think many people ever do that. At least not anymore, I've been over there a couple times and it always is wet in spots anyways.

[yetiman]

If I remember correctly,the route was good quality and worth doing. 1st pitch was a left facing left leaning off hand crack,strenuous.2nd pitch was a ramp kind a thing.3rd pitch was left facing thin fingers dihedral that I thought was the crux.

[crazyjizzy]

The first pitch is in my opinion by far the hardest, also the dirtiest and least fun. We did the second and third as one, and I thought the little finger cruxes were good, hard, and fun.

[ScottP]

That first pitch gives up some good booty too!

[crazyjizzy]

That first pitch gives up some good booty too!

 

If you don't mind orange spray paint

[ScottP]

Yeah, and if I remember, the trigger was broken (though my brain cell isn't functioning like it use to, so I could be wrong.)