North side of SE ridge
Dominic and Dwight scrambling along the north side of Smithsonian Butte's southeast ridge.
A loose but very intersting scramble and climb with a serious 5.5ish crux
Dominic and Dwight scrambling along the north side of Smithsonian Butte's southeast ridge.
The crux of the route is gaining the crest of the southeast ridge here. There seemed to be several options.
Dominic scrambling along exposed ledges to reach the base of the crux pitch.
Dominic leading up the crux which was approximately 30 meters and very loose in places. Dominic gave it a rating of 5.5 scary.
The crux pitch is located about 10 feet away from a massive dihedral. Dwight can be seen starting up the pitch.
Immediately after the crux pitch is a wildly exposed traverse along a slightly downsloping ledge. Its easy but we decided to rope up given the consequences of a slip. Dominic was able to get in a cam at the start and sling the small tree on the opposite end.
A better picture of the air below the traverse.
Dominic scrambling up 4th class terrain above the traverse.
Exposed scrambling above the traverse. We stayed roped up here.
Dwight squeezes through a narrow slot along the route while Dominic scrambles up loose junk.
Dominic climbing an exposed, low 5th class obstacle on the southeast ridge.
Dominic gives Dwight a handline for a steep 5th class step.
One of the few easy sections of the ridge.
Dominic belays Dwight up another easy 5th class but exposed step in the ridge.
Dominic scrambling along the final part of Smithsonian Butte's southeast ridge.
Dwight nearing the summit.
The lower west summit of Smithsonian Butte is a soft ranked peak.
Zion National Park lies just four miles to the north.
Dominic on top of Smithsonian Butte with Zion National Park in the background.
Dwight climbing down a step on Smithsonian Butte's southeast ridge. On the descent we did a handful of rappels, all from pre-existing anchors. The exposed traverse is avoidable on the descent.