Ascent Notes for: Amazing Face - 5.9 popular Average Rating : 3.90/5

Only did this route. Had a severely sprained ankle, seemed a little stiff for this grade as crux was reach dependent and required some good footwork. Prob worth UK grade 6a or 6a+ which is 5.10b ish.

May be different at full fitness but small crimps and fine footwork seemd too hard for 5.9

It is also worth pointing out to all others in this forum that a popular route mentioned in a 10 year old guidebook will be significantly different tofay than it was when first climbed or bolted. Sandstone climbs always change their character over time due to type of rock.

Popular routes in the UK are updated over the years as they become polished, shed holds or the holds deteriorate.

Bear this in mind when comparing actual grade to grade in guidebook.

Check the published date.

That said - I only did one climb !!

P.S I climbed 5.11d indoors at Berkeley so do have something to base my opinion on.

great route. well protected, and there's always a good crimp within at least an arm's length. careful footwork is a must.

good climb

There are 11 bolts, about 7 feet apart. Probably one or two 10a moves, the rest is sustained 9. A couple of crimps and a couple jugs. The rest is about feet. Super fun route!

It’s a typical mental challenge. You really have to focus on your feet. And definitely a 5.10a. NOT a 5.9. The holds doesn’t look very save. Some of them you can even turn around. You need exactly 10 quickdraws

Who'd have thought there was such fun rock right near SFO? Great climb. Well bolted. Fun.

n/a

it's really all about the footwork isn't it

Definitely not a 5.9, I agree with aforementioned reviews that this is either a 5.9+ or a 5.10a. Abundance of holds but use those feet. Great pitch, about 90 feet sustained.

Lots of feet, tricky. Seemed more like a mental challenge than a physical one, and probably not a move harder than 5.9 on the route. Not a quick send!