Covid Crack with its .50 Cal Crack finish offers a focused trad climb that tests both technique and endurance across approximately 200 feet of vertical desert rock. Starting with a demanding 100-foot section up Covid Crack itself, climbers engage with a straightforward yet engaging line that rewards steady crack climbing skills. Partway through, the route shifts attention as you traverse beneath a pronounced roof, requiring careful footwork and precise hand placements to negotiate the overhang. Beyond this technical move, the climb veers right, following an inviting but challenging series of cracks that lead to the route’s finish at the end of the .50 Cal Crack. A 60-meter rope is recommended to ensure a smooth pitch without the need for awkward rope management.

Set in the heart of California’s High Desert near Fort Irwin, this climb delivers an authentic desert climbing experience where the arid air and open sky frame the raw rock. The approach is straightforward, with the stone offering solid protection placements ranging up to 4 inches, making it accessible while still demanding respect and attention to gear. The rock “feels alive” here—each finger jam and hand stack connects you directly to the environment’s rugged character.

From a practical standpoint, bringing doubles up to 3 inches and a single 4-inch camming device will cover the necessary protection needs. The route calls for careful protection planning since the traverse under the roof means gear placements can be tricky and require a confident, steady hand. The climb’s grittiness and exposure make it ideal for climbers comfortable with runout sections and eager to experience a bold desert ascent.

The local climate encourages early starts to avoid the afternoon heat, especially in warmer months. Keep an eye on hydration, and ground your footwear choice in rubber that grips well on dry, often sun-baked rock. The rock’s texture is abrasive but reliable, and wind often sweeps across the plateau, pushing a backdrop of natural sound that both challenges and inspires. Whether you’re here to sharpen crack climbing techniques or to conquer a single-pitch desert classic, Covid Crack with .50 Cal Crack finish stands as an accessible yet engaging objective worth the journey.