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Solar Slab - 5.6 popular

Average Rating = 4.45/5 Average Rating : 4.45 out of 5
Route sequence (left to right): 6
Route Summary | Ascent Notes (74)
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Joe Herbst, Tom Kaufman, Larry Hamilton
Rock
8
PG. Gear to a #3 camalot.
1000
Consensus Ratings
  Difficulty 5.6
  Safety Rating G
  Exposure 4.23/5
  Rock Quality 4.53/5
  Scenery 4.73/5
  Fun Factor 4.67/5

Description:

If you want to summit, its a good one. Descent: There are 2 options. The first takes about 2 hours if you are fast, up to 4 if you are slow or have rope problems. The second can be done in 2 hours if you know the way, 3 hours if you don't. 1) Take two 60m ropes with you on the way up, and take the rap route that is off to the right at the top of the 7th pitch, by the tree (note: if you summit, it is possible to 4th class back to the rap route by heading down and to your left if you are facing the canyon. One small step down and a bit of traversing up canyon brings you back to the rap route. 2) From the summit of Solar Slab, head north/west along the rim, looking for some cairns. Follow the ledge around and left, then do some downclimbing to a pair of bolts. There are ample cairns pointing the path. A single rope rap takes you to a pair of bolts about 40' down. From these bolts, rap to the climbers left to a large sloping ledge. Walk to the end of the ledge for a third rap. From there, one more rap from a tree gets you to the Painted Bowl. From here, head toward the IBM boulder in the distance, staying high. After passing the boulder, work your way down to the wash and head east to the car. DO NOT GO EAST FROM THE SUMMIT. This descent is notorious for being epic, heinous, and very difficult to do (especially in the dark!). Those wanting a CTC speed time on Solar may consider this option, but for the rest of us, take the Orpheus descent. Edit: As of 10/15/04, the Rappel Station at the TOP of the seventh pitch that was in the TREE is missing. For those rappelling: You must now downclimb about 20' from the terrace to a pair of chains near the top of the route. EDIT (2): The rappel slings on Solar Slab were replaced on 12.21.04

Submitted by: vegastradguy on 2005-07-18
Views: 5367
Route ID: 11346

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74 Ascents Recorded

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Ratings
  Difficulty 5.6
  Safety Rating G
  Exposure
  Rock Quality
  Scenery
  Fun Factor
Onsight Onsight ascent by: jmeizis on 2013-10-05 (View Climbing Log)

4 out of 5 stars Cruiser but Stellar

Great climbing despite the ease in difficulty. Crowded and hot, even on a cooler day.

Added: 2013-10-28

Ratings
  Difficulty
  Safety Rating PG13
  Exposure
  Rock Quality
  Scenery
  Fun Factor
Onsight Onsight ascent by: granolapher on 2009-12-22 (View Climbing Log)

5 out of 5 stars Onsite

Superfun. Summit requires some additional climbing up easy runout slabs, with a sketchy 60m (easy 70m) rope rappel.

Added: 2012-08-27

Ratings
  Difficulty 5.6
  Safety Rating G
  Exposure
  Rock Quality
  Scenery
  Fun Factor
Solo Solo ascent by: dowww on 2012-03-10 (View Climbing Log)

3 out of 5 stars Solo

After 300 multi pitch trad climbs at Red Rock, I finally climbed Solar Slab. Left the trailhead at 2 in the afternoon....and ended up with the entire upper slab to myself on a beautiful March Saturday....was a bit shocked about that. When I reached the top, Joanne Urioste, a friend (Ken) and her son (Danny) gave me a free ride down on their ropes (took my harness in case I ran into someone I knew...but there is a pleasant walk off for those of you who do not know). They had climbed Black Orpheus and wanted to descend Solar. Great day out with great company on descent.

Added: 2012-03-19

Ratings
  Difficulty 5.6
  Safety Rating G
  Exposure
  Rock Quality
  Scenery
  Fun Factor
Onsight Onsight ascent by: coryberkebile on 2010-03-18 (View Climbing Log)

4 out of 5 stars Awesome route.

Part one of a link-up day. We climbed this route via the gully to get it done fast. We climbed this route in about 2 and half hours and rappelled through painted bowl. and ran out and over to juniper canyon and climbed olive oil.

Added: 2012-01-19

Ratings
  Difficulty 5.7
  Safety Rating G
  Exposure
  Rock Quality
  Scenery
  Fun Factor
Second Second ascent by: soNVclimbing on 2011-03-01 (View Climbing Log)

4 out of 5 stars Long day/night

climbed the last three pitches in the full moon. Rapped off a single walnut near the painted bowl.

Added: 2011-04-28

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