Bastion

With Monique 9 pitches to 5.10c What a wonderful route, exceptionally solid dolomite with fun, short, steep cruxes on good holds. Generously bolted. A perfect first day on rock for us... In mid-August 😞. We were a little late to the party arriving around noon, only to be delayed another hour by a party that had decided to use this popular sport route as a descent from the Castle hut... On a beautiful Sunday.... 150m from a 30 minute walkoff... with rappel rings if needed... People's decisions, man, never ceases to amaze. We witnessed a few small rockfalls from their (glacially slow and carefree) efforts, I wouldn't climb below someone in its current state. I think we were pretty efficient doing the route in ~5h. Walkoff back to the packs took ~40 min. DON'T RAPPEL THIS ROUTE unless you have to. 🤦‍♂️ It would be preferred to climb the cruxes without a pack, they are steep so I was really feeling the additional weight. Maybe that's first day of the season rust, maybe that's just steep 5.10 with a backpack, either way. Unfortunate that the most friable rock is on the crux pitch 9, some questionable holds. I broke a foothold and according to Monique cut both feet - action sports! How to get a guaranteed pump in 1.6 seconds. Fun and rewarding to hold on for the send. Monique took pitches 5 (gross), 7, and 8. Confidence building day for her and I. Fun!