Cutthroat, South Buttress, 8 / 11 / 01

Len, Bill, Joyce and I climbed this under blue skies.  


The route starts up the last obvious gully on the right.  Don't get on the ridge too early - it's a bad idea.  



It is mostly a low angle climb with occasional 5.6 moves and seemingly infinite variations.  



Look closely and you will see a butterfly has landed on Len's helmet.  



Closer...



Hee hee...



Len belaying Joyce across the Tarzan leap.  It is the most interesting move of the climb.  You hold on to a finger pocket with your right hand and reach for another pocket with your left.  There are no foot holds.  Depending on how long your arms are you might have to let go of one before grabbing the other.  



Len just above the crux.  It is a 5.8 off-width move best protected with a #4 camalot.  It's a really short move but very airy.  Early Winter's spires are visible across highway 20.