Off-Balance Rock

Go back to Dolomite Spire And Off-Balance Rock Weekend.
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Northeast Chimney

Off-Balance Rock.

The following day, we climbed the Northeast Chimney Route (2 pitches, 5.7) on the Off-Balance Rock in Arches N.P. I recall a physical if not too hard chimney on pitch 2 and the fact that it protected just fine (don’t follow the old Supertopo beta). Great views of Arches NP and especially the golf-ball shaped Balanced Rock formation. Easy climb, sunny day, trivial descent; we actually lingered on the summit taking in the sunshine.

Photos

Northeast Chimney

Shirley on approach to Off-Balance Rock (May 2008).

Northeast Chimney

Shirley leading pitch 1 of the Northeast Chimney route on Off-Balance Rock (May 2008).

Northeast Chimney

Higher on pitch 1 (May 2008).

Northeast Chimney

Views from the base of the route (May 2008).

Northeast Chimney

A short traverse and up onto a belay stance at the base of the namesake chimney (May 2008).

Northeast Chimney

Looking down into the bowels of the chimney from the lead of pitch 2 (May 2008).

Northeast Chimney

View from the top of the route – a stance just below the summit (May 2008).

Northeast Chimney

A belay companion (May 2008).

Northeast Chimney

Shirley exiting the chimney (May 2008).

Northeast Chimney

Shirley on the summit of Off-Balance Rock. If you know what to look for, you can actually spot the Dark Angel tower waaaaay off in the distance on the horizon (May 2008).

Northeast Chimney

Views from summit. La Sal Mountains are off in the distance and some of the arches in the foreground (May 2008).

Northeast Chimney

Wanker on the summit (May 2008).

Northeast Chimney

Shirley on the summit (May 2008).

Northeast Chimney

Summit views. Balanced Rock is on the right (May 2008).

Northeast Chimney

Balanced Rock. Strictly off limits to climbing (May 2008).

Northeast Chimney

Summit pano (May 2008).

Northeast Chimney

Shirley and I on the summit of Off-Balance Rock. Northeast Chimney is the gash to the right of us (May 2008).

Northeast Chimney

Shirley rapping off (May 2008).

Northeast Chimney

Wider angle view (May 2008).

Northeast Chimney

Pulling the ropes (May 2008).

Kane Creek

Center Tombstone (left) and Right Tombstone in Kane Creek (May 2008).

Kane Creek

Checking out the Tombstone Formations in Kane Creek (May 2008).

Kane Creek

Right Tombstone (May 2008).

Kane Creek

Center Tombstone (…at center) is home to the classic Playing Hooky route (May 2008).

Kane Creek

Beautiful dihedral in the upper portions of Playing Hooky (May 2008).

Kane Creek

A closer look at the top of Playing Hooky (May 2008).

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