Foggy Bottom presents a compact but engaging challenge for trad climbers seeking a technical traverse with a subtle upward angle. This 70-foot route, located at the Race Crack Area within Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park, sits at the base of Puff Aider and demands steady footwork and careful protection placement. The climb's left-leaning ramp traces a thin crack, requiring precise smearing feet to maintain balance as the rock subtly angles skyward. Below, the gully rises in parallel, making it critical to run protective pieces well to avoid uncomfortably long falls against the ground.

Approach this climb prepared for finger-diameter gear, as the thin crack holds small cams and stoppers best. Larger protection is limited but pieces up to two inches can find occasional placements that lend extra security during the crux section. You begin by clipping the initial two bolts of Puff Aider before traversing left, where a bolt guards the route’s key pinch. From there, carefully work the crack system, mindful of the shifting balance between rock and gully.

The route’s placement in the heart of the Sierra Nevada grants it a raw, mountainous feel. The granite here is solid, yet occasionally abrasive, sharpening your focus on foot textures and handholds. Expect the rock to interact dynamically with your movements—a dance between smears and jams, where precision is as vital as strength.

While the pitch is a single push upward, the character is layered with subtle technical demands that reward attentive protection and smooth movement. Though rated 5.9, Foggy Bottom’s grade leans toward the delicate; it’s not a brute force climb but an exercise in finesse. Climbers familiar with Sequoia’s moderate cracks will find the difficulty straightforward but engaging.

For timing, the climb benefits from a morning to mid-day window when the east-facing approach catches warming sunlight but avoids the harsh afternoon heat. The surrounding forest muffles the wind, creating a calm atmosphere to focus on technique and rhythm. Nearby trails weave through tall conifers and open ridges, offering a peaceful preamble to your climb.

Remember to bring a rack stocked primarily with smallcams and stoppers, ensuring you can adapt to the crack’s changing width. Careful clipping and steady pacing will keep your energy measured and your confidence high. As with much of the granite ranges here, wear shoes with sticky rubber for those subtle smears and prepare for the possibility of dirt or lichen patches in less-frequented corners.

Foggy Bottom rewards those looking for a compact pitch that blends objective exposure with a cerebral climbing style. Its position within the Sequoia & Kings Canyon wilderness offers quiet solitude away from busier routes. This is a climb to savor, one that blends technical movement with thoughtful protection, igniting both your senses and climbing skills in a setting steeped in natural grandeur.