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Sea of Dreams - A4 popular

Average Rating = 4.00/5 Average Rating : 4.00 out of 5
Route sequence (left to right): 50
Route Summary | Ascent Notes (7)
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The usual "hard wall rack" with extra sawed-offs
Consensus Ratings
  Difficulty 5.9 A4
  Safety Rating R
  Exposure 5.00/5
  Rock Quality 4.00/5
  Scenery 5.00/5
  Fun Factor 3.00/5

Description:

Yet another classic Bridwell route that advanced climbing standards to new heights - hooks were used at least three hundred times on the first ascent - Sea of Dreams is the best old school A4 on El Cap. You'll find bitchin' bivis on the Continental Shelf and Big Sur, with plenty of sustained and thought-provoking climbing the whole way. Speaking of which, the Hook or Book was the first "if you fall, you die" pitch on El Cap, and is still a stout exercise even today. After you hook the "surfboard," you'll come to the busted-off rurps of the infamous Rurp Belay, which has thankfully been retrobolted by the ASCA, though you'll have a much harder time finding the original 9 to 5 pitch which seems lost forever, replaced by the Price is Light variation. The difficult move to gain the Continental Shelf has left many perplexed, and the pitches above Big Sur which include Peregrine Pillar, To The Tooth and the Blue Room are all superb. The Sea of Dreams should be at the top of every wall rat's "wish list," and is a worthy goal once you have acquired the requisite skill.

Submitted by: passthepitonspete on 2006-03-26
Views: 4207
Route ID: 5208

7 Ascents Recorded

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Ratings
  Difficulty 5.9 A4
  Safety Rating R
  Exposure
  Rock Quality
  Scenery
  Fun Factor
Red Point Red Point ascent by: rexcarrs on 2006-06-25 (View Climbing Log)

4 out of 5 stars A proud route with no gimme pitches

Rather sustained, this one has lots of hard aid throughout. In addition to the difficulty of getting placements to hold, some features are loose & expanding adding some spice to the mix! The surfboard before the RURP belay is gone! The Price Is Light pitch has fallen off too. Now you go 30 feet further right from the Bulldyke belay, then up a different corner that leads to the Space Belay.

Added: 2008-01-12

Ratings
  Difficulty
Red Point Red Point ascent by: b_fost on 2004-08-29 (View Climbing Log)

0 out of 5 stars Ascent Note

No comment

Added: 2004-08-29

Ratings
  Difficulty
Top Rope Top Rope ascent by: pastoremilius on 2002-12-25 (View Climbing Log)

0 out of 5 stars Ascent Note

The route is basically GREAT! and I recommend it to the others. bridwell did really great job there. Climbing "on the edge" I'm 188cm tall but I tell ya the placements are very reach - topstepping and so on. Hook or Book is a wonderful journey trough the granit sea and it was the crux I think. Cheers Maciek

Witnessed by: Leo Houlding
Added: 2002-12-25

Ratings
  Difficulty
Onsight Onsight ascent by: passthepitonspete on 2001-05-15 (View Climbing Log)

0 out of 5 stars Ascent Note

to be updated

be sure to <a href="http://www.rockclimbing.com/photos.php?Action=ListPhoto&PhotoID=2214"><b>link in Ammon's photo of the Hook or Book.</b></a>

Witnessed by: Nick Ginn
Added: 2001-05-15

Ratings
  Difficulty
Flash Flash ascent by: bigwaller on 2000-07-07 (View Climbing Log)

0 out of 5 stars Ascent Note

an exceptional route!! we got worked on our original route plan so while hanging at chongos camp we decieded on the sea as a good idea...needless to say with chongos s--- hanging all over the first 6 pitches it was more then a bitch to get around him!! we succeeded in using a 200m haul line and hauled all the way to 6 which was no real fun...the route constantly changes in nature and became more difficult after the notorious "hook or Book" which brent sent handily...this route still has teeth and i would only recommend this route if you are seasoned and not afraid to go the distance in your aid ability..a great time was had by all, and better still no one fell...a sick line from begining to end!!!!

Witnessed by: Brent Armstrong, Andrew McGarry
Added: 2000-07-07

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