with a few takes and falls. The off-width proved to be more strenuous. The first half took mostly #3’s, and the second half took #4’s exclusively. We had two of each size, and in total I was able to place maybe three other sized piece, which meant I had to walk the pieces every so often. At times I felt completely immobile, especially in the wider 4” crack. By the time Nick and I finished these two pitches, we were ready to be off the wall. From the ledge we looked down the incredibly exposed wall and began to apperciate the route’s name. From Broadway to our belay, the wall was either vertical or slightly overhanging, with the ground over 1,000ft below us. Nick led the final pitch (5.9) to Table Ledge, where we traversed left and scrambled up to the top of Long’s Peak before sunset.
Due to our fatigue and unfamiliarity with the rappel route, we decided to hike down the Keyhole route to our campsite. It was already getting dark as we left the peak. After a few route-finding issues and a run-in with some friendly New Jersey campers, we made it back to camp and enjoyed a deep sleep. The next morning we slogged out of bed and down the final five miles to the car. Our two-day adventure-turned five was finally at an end. [Facing page] Hale Melnick heading up the start of Pervertical Sanctuary. Nick Chambers [This page] David Hoven climbing in RMNP. Joe Forrester
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