"Green Monster is a short but invigorating trad climb on solid knobby rock at The Weeping Wall. Its shaded position and mixed protection make it a perfect warm-weather trad option for climbers looking for precise moves within a classic Southern California setting."
Set against the dramatic backdrop of The Weeping Wall, Green Monster offers a concise but engaging trad climb that quietly commands attention. This 60-foot route, located in the shade beneath the soaring Suicide Rock and Tahquitz formations, delivers knobby face climbing on rock that feels solid and lively under your fingertips. The approach brings you into a rugged pocket of California’s climbing scene, where sunlight is scarce but the challenge is vivid. From halfway up Bye Gully, a glance reveals bolts on the steep wall to the left, marking a clear starting point for this test of precise movement and steady protection.
Green Monster’s character is defined by its compact length paired with a surprisingly dynamic pitch. Though short, the climb demands control on delicate holds and commitment to gear placements that mix fixed bolts with traditional protection opportunities. The route’s shade keeps the rock cool throughout the day, making it a perfect choice for warm-weather conditions when sun-exposed lines grow baking hot. The rock's texture invites confident footwork and smooth transitions, pushing climbers to find balance on knobby edges and subtle faces.
The climb’s one pitch measures 60 feet and clocking in at 5.9, it strikes a solid middle ground—challenging enough to test foundational trad skills but approachable for experienced climbers wanting a quick, rewarding ascent. Protection is a hybrid setup, blending bolts with gear placements, so carrying a well-rounded rack designed for finger to hand-sized cams will secure your safety while managing the risk posed by tricky placements.
Getting to Green Monster involves navigating the well-worn trails by The Weeping Wall, a popular but rugged area offering panoramic views that stretch from the jagged rock faces to the desert beyond. Attention to trail markers and timing ensures a smooth access, with some scrambling that rewards with a clear vantage point of Suicide Rock’s imposing profile. Local conditions favor early starts, especially in warmer months, to beat the heat and make the most of the route's shaded comfort.
This climb suits those who appreciate a no-frills but deeply satisfying challenge. Whether you're brushing up on crack and face climbing combos or looking for a solid trad pitch without a time investment, Green Monster delivers. With a blend of dependable rock, thoughtful protection, and steady moves, it invites climbers to engage fully with the climb’s rhythm and demands, well away from crowded sport sectors but close enough to the climbing hub of Southern California to be perfectly accessible.
Prepare for moderate approach terrain, pack your rack with mixed pro, and plan for cool shaded climbing that feels like a rewarding breather in the desert heat. Green Monster is a concise expression of trad climbing's essential appeal in one intense pitch amid classic terrain.
Despite the bolts, some gear placements are tricky due to the nature of the rock but reliable if carefully placed. The approach has loose sections—mind your steps and look for stable footholds when ascending to the wall.
Start early to make the most of the shade and avoid afternoon heat.
Focus on smooth footwork to handle the knobby face holds confidently.
Carry a rack for both bolts and gear placements—this route demands both.
Approach involves some scrambling—wear sturdy footwear and watch your footing.
Bring a mixed rack with cams ranging from finger to hand sizes and rely on a handful of bolts combined with traditional gear placements to protect the pitch securely.
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