New Route - Rainbow Connection-11a, Gray Eagle

[John]

We wanted to share our newish route on Gray that we finished last year. It is our favorite so far and we even keep repeating it we liked it so much. The best part about it is that it stays almost completely shady for most of the day during the hottest time of year. I would easily call it the longest route on the ridge I can think of that you can comfortably climb in mid-summer.

It has all 3/8" hardware except for the highest bolt is 1/4 still. It really only has one PG section as far as gear on P3 using small wires on otherwise straightforward, perhaps 5.7 climbing. It has some standard yet comfortable runouts on the upper knob bands with no committing moves.

Enjoy!

Here is the topo (need login info for downloads, email me at john@southernyosemiteclimbing.com):
southernyosemiteclimbing.com/downloads/Rainbow Connection Topo.pdf

[NateD]

Thanks!

[mungeclimber]

HUGE

[jeff]

Nice work you two. I wanna do. Better than Escher's is a big statement. I loved Escher's.  Still haten on that pin though.

[John]

Thanks Man.

Maybe we need a second opinion on Rainbow Connection then.....that's yer cue! We would do that one with you any time, we can't get enough of it.

That pin on Escher's builds character.

[susan]

Thanks Jeff! Welcome - good to see you here!

[NateD]

Tell us about the name. I assume it come from Kermit, no?

[John]

Tell us about the name. I assume it come from Kermit, no?

Click this and let it play while I explain:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSFLZ-MzIhM

The climb follows a series of arching crack systems, like rainbows and Kemit is rad. He dates psycho pigs and plays banjo with John Denver. Friggin hardcore, man.

[NateD]

Sweet. Listen - you guys MUST get a pic of a Kermit puppet pulling some rad moves on the route for some future guidebook!

[YETI]

NIce!@

That was cool watching you guys work that.

Crazy how much terrain that route covers.

I have some shots of you guys high up on a push, I will dig them out.

[susan]

John, you loved the Muppets growing up.

This is another rendition of Kermit Thee Frog's song, but by Willie -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=deebKNI-dTE

So, rainbow, because the first three pitches follow an arching system that lands you at a gold wall... Plus, I like the parts of the lyrics involving 'vision' and the siren call, or what "...called the young sailors."

Really nice time doing that route. Kind of Disney. We had hummingbird visits every time we climbed it - probably from the new red rope we were using and maybe a red jacket...

[NateD]

Speaking of Disney, I just won 2 tickets there! Sorry, OT.

I loved the Muppets too.

Is the route in this pic by Matt?

[susan]

Nate, Congrats on winning a trip to Disney - you and fam must be ecstatic! How did you do that?

As to the photo, I cannot i.d. it quickly bc it's a bit fuzzy where it begins, though it very likely is at least in part in that photo. Will see if we can get something else posted up or if John can tell...

[John]

Nate
I have similar shots from Electric at home that are much clearer. That is a mind-blowing view to see in person.

Looking at the base area, I believe the line is in the golden rock just to the right of the shady part. You can kinda see the corners.

[susan]

Thanks Yeti! I should put some up that we took of you guys from up there too.