Aquarium Wall

Aquarium Wall, Upper

The following 4 routes start on a large ramp above Parallel Development on the Aquarium Wall. Cross the creek about 100 yards downstream from the Aquarium Wall and follow a faint trail right to the base of a moss-covered slab. All the routes are accessed by climbing a dirty slab past some bolts.

Lichen Has Feelings Too 11d
FA: Vaino Kodas, Bob D'Antonio, Morris (Moe) Hershoff, 2003
This is the left-most route. It can be done in one pitch from the ground, using the first 3 bolts on the slab and then veering left, or by using the belay anchor for "The Future of Life". After the slab, move up to a left-leaning flake/thin crack and then go straight up through some finger jams and not-too-obvious slopers to a good ledge. Then move right and up, past some lichen, to the belay. 9 bolts when done as one pitch.

The Future of Life 11d
FA: Bob D'Antonio, Vaino Kodas, Morris (Moe) Hershoff, 2003
Climb the dirty slab (5.9) and belay at the left belay stance on the mossy ledge. Climb a right angling ramp, and then move left onto the slightly overhanging face, following a variety of edges, sidepulls, and slopers. 6 bolts.

Huck Finn 11b
FA: Vaino Kodas, Bob D'Antonio, 2003
This is the left of the two routes starting from the right belay anchor. Reach for a big knob and rock onto the slab. Move up and left to a lay-back flake, then continue up past the "Finn" to a good ledge. A great slab climb. 8 bolts.

Nowhere Man 11b
FA: Bob D'Antonio, Vaino Kodas, 2003
This route is just right of Huck Finn and shares the same belay anchors. Climb up past the first bolt on some great knobs. Reach a good single-finger pocket by the third bolt and make a few hard moves to gain a ledge. Fire up a thin seam to the anchor. Great slab climbing on excellent rock. 8 bolts.

Gish, Aquarium Wall, Lower

The next two routes are on the Lower Aquarium Wall.

Justin Alf Memorial 10d
FA: D'Antonio, Kodas, 2002 This route is just left of Gish. Climb a short slab angling left past two bolts to a good rest. Climb up past four bolts to a ledge. From the ledge go left up to a small pine tree and shallow crack, place small gear and crank past three more bolts up a steep face to a good crack and ledge. Place a friend and go right to the Gish anchor. 9 bolts and some small to medium gear.

Gish 10a
FA: Vaino Kodas, Bob D'Antonio, 2002
This route is between "Jerome Webster Memorial" and "Pigs in Space" on the Aquarium Wall. Walk over from Bell Buttress, or jump some rocks across the river and scramble up to a grassy, sloping ledge. Begin down and left on the ramp, about 15 feet up from the creek. Climb up and left about 20 feet to a two-bolt belay. It is best to belay from here, since the pitch is 90 feet long from this point. Follow shallow corners and seams to a sloping ledge to the right of a small tree. Continue up a large right-arching flake and then make a few moves back left to the belay. 10 bolts, and some small cams.