Satan's Slab

Climbed the East Face of Satan's Slab with Bill W and Mark O. This was the last of Roach's *Classic* routes for me.

Approached via lower Skunk Canyon. As we passed the talus field just below the Mesa Trail, I noticed a bear above us, moving up the talus.

Once at Satan's Slab, we weren't sure exactly where to start the route. We eventually started out on the rock well below the start of the route. We sort of traversed up the lower portion of the rock, never too high above the slope below us (rather silly), until finally reaching what we determined to be the start of the route.

I led our first pitch, up and left to a bulge, further left to overcome the bulge, then back up and right to a belay stance. A bit exciting, as I haven't led squat in recent years. Bill took the next pitch, traversing right to reach the black water "groove," then up to a belay right of the groove. I led the third pitch, back left into the groove, then up to the large pothole which is at the top of Roach's second pitch. I got in no gear on this pitch. Again, a bit exciting for me. Bill led up the last of the groove from the pothole. Mark and I briefly simul-climbed behind Bill until we reached the crux, where Bill put us on belay. We then simul-climbed all the way to the summit from here, with Bill leading.

Descended to the northeast, crossing under the Amoeboid, and reached the Royal Arch Trail. Descended to Woods Quarry, then down to Kohler Mesa, and back to lower Skunk.

A bit long for a pre-work scramble, but an awesome morning!

0:00 - Deer Valley Rd/Hollyberry Ln
3:18:46 - Deer Valley Rd/Hollyberry Ln

StreakBlueB and rock shoes