Hooch carves out a distinctive challenge on the weathered face of Moonshine Pillar, set in the stark Alabama Hills just outside Lone Pine, California. This single-pitch sport route wakes you up immediately with an offbeat, almost boulder-problem style introduction. The rock is rough and grainy, telling stories of erosion and time, demanding careful footwork and a steady grip as you navigate its quirks. You start with a handful of moves over chunky, uneven holds where some of the larger plates of rock have peeled away, leaving behind a rough canvas that’s more about smearing and balance than pure power.

As you move left along the line, you cross over toward the Sparge route, skirting two more bolts that test your body’s flexibility with a tight squeeze—a rare, engaging twist that sets this climb apart from the traditional vertical onslaughts. The shared anchors at the top offer a reprieve, a moment to reflect on the rawness of the climb and the surrounding desert landscape.

The Moonshine Pillar itself rises like a stubborn sentinel above the desert floor, its surface cracked and weathered from relentless sun and wind. The air holds a dry warmth, pierced occasionally by cooling mountain breezes that whistle through the crags. At this altitude, around 4000 feet, the scent of sagebrush and piñon pine lingers faintly, grounding the experience in the wild, high desert environment.

For those planning their ascent, Hooch demands patience with the rock’s unpredictable texture. It’s not polished, it’s not glass-smooth, and that’s part of its charm. Bring shoes with a firm edge to handle the slab’s varied holds and a mindset ready for a physical puzzle rather than a straightforward crack or face climb. Six bolts to Mussy hooks make protection straightforward, though their placement requires precise clipping as the route angles left.

The approach is accessible, following well-worn trails through the ruby-red boulders and quartz veins of the Alabama Hills, offering stunning views of the Sierra Nevada’s jagged range towering to the east. The climb’s short length—just 45 feet—belies the intensity of its moves and the curiosity it sparks in those eager to try something off the beaten path in a classic climbing destination.

Timing your climb for early morning or late afternoon can help you avoid the midday heat, which can be intense even outside summer months here. Being mindful of hydration is essential; the desert can be unforgiving, and the climb’s physical demands are heightened when the sun beats down hard. This is a route for climbers who appreciate character over polish, an authentic piece of the Alabama Hills’ vast playground where nature’s wear and tear writes its own route beta.

All told, Hooch offers an adventurous pocket of sport climbing that invites you to read the rock carefully, respect the landscape fully, and—most of all—enjoy a brief, sharp encounter with the raw edge of the eastern Sierra climbing scene.