Carving a line up Owl Tower’s leftmost crack, Avian Combat offers a focused, single-pitch trad climb that demands both precision and calm. Situated in the stark expanse of California’s High Desert, this route presents a rugged face split by parallel cracks—one guiding your hands and feet, the other standing ready to protect your ascent. The climb climbs a clean, vertical crack system that requires solid crack skills to move efficiently while managing gear placements on the right-hand fissure. After navigating the core crux, climbers reach a bouldery ledge crowned by smoothly weathered stone. Here, building a secure anchor involves slinging robust boulders, anchoring your effort before the descent.

The High Desert’s sun beats down with an unrelenting clarity, highlighting the orange and gray tones of the volcanic rock with sharp contrast. A gentle breeze often pushes through, moving dry desert air across exposed faces, helping to keep the grips dry but reminding you to manage hydration carefully. This area’s unique environment blends open views with pockets of shade provided by outcrops, making timing and gear choice crucial. The climb’s 100-foot length can be comfortably managed in a single push, but the exposed nature reinforces the need to stay focused from start to finish.

Protection on Avian Combat calls for a double rack up to 3 inches, emphasizing cams that fit securely within the right crack’s profile. Gear placement can become testy—requiring a steady hand to lock pro in place before committing upward. The 5.9 PG13 rating suggests a moderately sustained effort with some technical moves that skirt runout sections, so climbers should prepare for both physical and mental challenge.

Access is direct from the Ft. Irwin Military Base area, with the approach weaving across high desert terrain characterized by coarse sand and scattered vegetation. A short hike along firm ground generally takes 15 to 20 minutes, keeping the arrival swift and efficient. Climbers often find it beneficial to approach early morning or late afternoon when the wall’s eastern aspect catches light without full sun exposure, helping manage temperature and improve friction.

Once at the top, rappelling down requires care. The anchor built from slung boulders demands a thorough safety check—ensuring each sling is secure and the boulders stable. Following downclimb or rappel, hikers return over the same sandy trail, mindful of loose surface rocks and potential sun exposure during peak hours.

Avian Combat rewards those who bring both skill and respect for the desert’s demanding conditions. This climb blends straightforward movement with moments that test your gear judgment and composure in exposed terrain—a memorable slice of trad climbing carved cleanly on California’s high desert walls.