"Curve Like Her winds through a striking right-facing dihedral on The Shark, blending hands-on crack climbing with bold face moves. This three-pitch trad route offers 400 feet of demanding granite that rewards technical skill and steady confidence."
Curve Like Her offers a compelling climb that threads its way through a distinctive right-facing dihedral on The Shark, in the heart of Yosemite's Tuolumne Meadows. This multi-pitch trad route invites climbers into an intimate dance with granite, where every move is shaped by the rock’s texture and angles. The route stretches approximately 400 feet over three pitches, each offering a mix of delicate crack climbing and bold face moves that demand careful placement and steady composure.
The journey begins with a physically engaging wide crack on pitch one, where a low belly crawl may be required to navigate the initial groove. The rock here feels rough against your hands and knees, an immediate reminder of the mountain's raw character. As you shift into the dihedral, the climb opens into a steady, moderate pitch marked by clean lines and solid foot holds, leading to a comfortable belay stance.
Pitch two raises the stakes as you follow the dihedral upward to a fixed pin, signaling the start of the crux. Here, the route veers out and right onto an exposed face, a stretch that tests balance and nerve as you reach for a bolt that seems just beyond your grasp. This section challenges with technical moves on vertical granite that rewards precise footwork and calm focus. After clipping the bolt, the line resumes diagonally upward back into the dihedral, where a second belay awaits—an ideal spot to regroup and savor the views.
The final pitch continues up the dihedral with sustained hand jams and secure placements, rated at 5.8. Before reaching the top, a well-placed bolt invites a traverse right that leads to a shared two-bolt anchor with neighboring routes Corn Hole and Bushes and Buckets. The summit position grants sweeping views of Tuolumne’s alpine meadows and a sense of achievement born from persistence and technique.
Protection on Curve Like Her is straightforward but requires a rack tuned to finger-to-hand-sized cams, with a few larger cams beneficial for the broad cracks encountered early on. Fixed pins and bolts break up the protection in crux zones, offering reliable security but demanding clean clipping. The experience balances well with Yosemite’s heritage of traditional climbing while rewarding those who come prepared and attentive.
Accessing The Shark involves a well-maintained trail through subalpine forest, a moderate approach that takes roughly 30 minutes from Tuolumne Meadows parking. The granite here is bright and clean, reflecting the high-altitude sunlight, and the route itself faces east, making morning climbs especially pleasant before the afternoon sun strengthens.
Practically, timing your ascent for early hours avoids warmer conditions and the bustle of other parties. Bring adequate hydration, carry a standard trad rack supplemented with extra hand-size cams for pitch one, and prepare for some tight body positioning in the initial moves. Footwear with a solid mix of edging and smearing capability will serve you well on both the dihedral jams and delicate face climbing.
Curve Like Her demands a balanced approach: an appetite for adventure combined with thoughtful preparation. Climbers who rise to its challenge will find a route that engages the whole body, sharpens technique, and delivers a genuine slice of Yosemite’s rugged granite firsthand.
Watch for runouts, particularly on pitch two where protection is limited between placements. The initial pitches require cautious movement through tight cracks, and the belly crawl area can scrape exposed skin. Weather can change rapidly; be prepared for afternoon winds and sudden temperature drops.
Start early to enjoy cooler temperatures and fewer climbers on the route.
Bring extra hand-sized cams for secure placements in the wide cracks of the first pitch.
The initial belly crawl can be tight—wear long pants to protect your skin.
Approach trail is well-marked but be prepared for a 30-minute trek through mixed terrain.
Standard trad rack with emphasis on adding a few extra hand-sized cams. A large cam can ease pitch one but isn’t essential. Fixed pins and bolts supplement protection, especially in the crux on pitch two.
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