Manta Ray stakes its claim on the far left edge of The Beach, a striking wall that demands focus and finesse amid the rugged terrain of Whitney Portal. From the initial stance on a right-facing flake, the climb immediately tests your balance and footwork. You lean into delicate smears, feeling the rock’s grain beneath your fingertips as you reach for the first bolt—an early reminder that this route blends technical subtlety with physical challenge. As you edge along the face, your movements sharpen; each step pushes against gravity, trusting marginal edges and smooth holds. Though rated 5.10a, many find Manta Ray climbing harder than its grade, aligning more closely with the sustained struggles of nearby routes like Holy Handgrenade and Mountaineers. The crux demands precise foot placement and confident smearing, rewarding those who engage with its quiet complexity. Protection is straightforward, with five bolts following the line to a solid two-bolt rappel anchor, allowing for smooth descent after your push to the top. The wall's texture under your hands is clean but not forgiving—smears will test the grit of your climbing shoes and steadiness of your feet. Situated in the high-desert environment of the Sierra Eastside, The Beach benefits from mostly stable weathering, but the exposed nature of the wall invites careful attention to wind and temperature shifts. Whether you’re piecing together smears on the lower flake or tackling the final stretch edging toward the anchors, Manta Ray demands a balance of technical skill and mental poise—a rewarding venture for climbers ready to push beyond straightforward grades and savor a pure trad experience on solid rock.