Route Development and Bolting Workshop

 

Marine Slab Rough Overview

 I wanted to provide a better overview of the Marine Slabs Area. It is located on the hill above the Marine Lab, on the left (north) of the road as you drive TOWARDS Marine Lab. The cliffs are short, slabby, discontinuous faces of a course conglomerate sandstone. Most the routes are in the 25-40 foot range.

We found Marine Slab first and started developing it with Shark Bite, Marine Slab and more. We started poking around and found additional faces as we move north. Some are very short (bouldery) and some with shrubbery. The area is remarkable for having shallow eroded cracks, crescent shaped features and huge flakes that can be climbed on the underside, almost like a chimney, or on top, like an arete. 

I like developing this area because it is so close and it doesn't take a big effort to put in a line (except for cleaning).

The next time I go in, I will flag the trail in red. 2 pieces will indicate a fork in the trail.

Purity 5.8 & JamJam 5.8

 We are opening a new area at Marine Slabs and it starts with Purity and JamJam. I spotted this short face a couple of years ago. It took a back seat to other projects but Jan and I got back to it this spring. It required a fair bit of cleaning, but well worth the effort.

JamJam 5.8 is a cool little flaring crack that leans from right to left. I struggled a bit off the ground until I used a fist jam then it is one foot jam after another. It is an old weathered crack so it is shallow and flared.

Purity 5.8 starts with a high undercling that quickly becomes a right side layback. Then cross the gap to left laybacks and over the sloping bulge to gain the anchors.

Both routes sent today and Jan and myself. I will post an updated map of the area shortly.