Discussion Topic |
|
This thread has been locked |
Rhodo-Router
Gym climber
wussing off the topout on Roadside Attraction
|
|
|
Topic Author's Original Post - Jan 1, 2011 - 05:20pm PT
|
Discuss.
|
|
Mark Hudon
Trad climber
Hood River, OR
|
|
Different but both very good.
|
|
wayne burleson
climber
Amherst, MA (currently in Lutry, CH)
|
|
Astroman always seemed like much more of an adventure.
That walk-off ledge on the Rostrum is a tragic flaw
to an otherwise great route. And an approach from above
is just backwards in my book.
|
|
Josh Higgins
Trad climber
San Diego
|
|
Astroman is memorable due to the difficulty which comes at you in so many ways.
The Rostrum is memorable due to the quality of the climbing. Even the "10a offwidth" had me smiling when I was relatively new at them.
I'm not saying that Astroman isn't quality climbing, but the Rostrum just isn't as hard and the cracks are more aesthetic and climb better (outside of the Enduro Corner). Just my opinion. I've been on each route once and loved both of them.
Josh
|
|
Largo
Sport climber
The Big Wide Open Face
|
|
The Rostrum is more refined and elegant with all those perfect corners and splitters. And if you do the roof along with the lower wall (I never did link them continuously myself) it is much harder than Astroman.
But as a route, Astroman is a burlier proposition. Cams, sticky shoes and all the rest has significantly reduced the difficulty of many of the old testpieces, especially the off width stuff, which was largely unprotected BITD. But Astroman, with all the modern advantages, is probably only a letter grade easier than it was in 1975.
JL
|
|
Chief
climber
The NW edge of The Hudson Bay
|
|
I wasn't aware these two fine routes were at odds with each other, it would be a hell of a match likely to end in a draw.
Done them both a bunch, one of the best days ever was Rostrum in the morning and Astroman in the afternoon with Kevin Fosberg.
Rostrum's less intimidating, no Harding slot or horrid last pitch and nice walk up to the car. Elegant is an appropriate descriptor.
Astroman is the touchstone of Yosemite and Squamish climbing culture and a must do for devotees from both camps.
Absolutely the burlier line of the two but not the better.
|
|
Mark Hudon
Trad climber
Hood River, OR
|
|
Those two in a day would be awesome but Astroman, The Crucifix and The Rostrum in consecutive days would be quite a time. Add the West Face of El Cap on the fourth days and you could die a happy person.
|
|
Rhodo-Router
Gym climber
wussing off the topout on Roadside Attraction
|
|
|
Topic Author's Reply - Jan 1, 2011 - 08:32pm PT
|
I think a lot of the civilized appeal of a Rostrum day (or morning, for some) lies in that walk-on ledge- not really a flaw, in my book. Where else can you approach downhill, leave a beer at the summit, leave lunch midway, and start climbing 900' with no water, no food, no shoes for the first 3 pitches?
Astroman, of course, makes you work for it. Hard. The summit is glorious, though, sticking out into the Valley like that. And the walkoff- no worse than many.
|
|
WBraun
climber
|
|
Why even bother with this Astroman vs. the Rostrum nonsense.
They're both awesome.
You can even do Rostroman.
I was the first to link both together one afternoon. (spray)
Thus you have both and no more verses each other.
Now they meld .....
|
|
Chief
climber
The NW edge of The Hudson Bay
|
|
Just to keep the Rostroman thing in perspective, and I know this is old hat, but I know the great Pedro Croftini soloed Rostroman a few times and that on some days he added the Steak Salad, NE Butt of Higher, laps on the Nabisco Wall via Butterballs and had Red Zinger and Crack of No Pro for dessert.
|
|
dave goodwin
climber
carson city, nv
|
|
Hey Werner-
I have heard that the Iron Monkey down soloed the Rostrum? I find this an amazing accomplishment if true?
take care
dave
|
|
WBraun
climber
|
|
That was Croft but maybe Dave did too, but I don't know.
Maybe Walleye knows .....
|
|
Chief
climber
The NW edge of The Hudson Bay
|
|
Yes, the Iron Monkey soloed the Rostrum but didn't down solo it, got it straight from the Monkey himself.
When Croft was running laps on the Rostrum (three times in one session) he down soloed the bottom half but I never heard anything about him down soloing the upper half.
|
|
Chief
climber
The NW edge of The Hudson Bay
|
|
Agreed Tami, remember the horrible sling dilemma?
|
|
Gobi
Trad climber
Orange CA
|
|
Both are great routes but I feel like the Rostrum climbs better. It's got a stress free approach and decent and has some amazing variations...Oh yea and I hate the Harding Slot!
|
|
bmacd
Trad climber
100% Canadian
|
|
by far they are two of the best routes I've ever got up, though the crucifix was an intimidating prospect, we didn't get on it, but likely an equally outstanding proposition
|
|
wayne burleson
climber
Amherst, MA (currently in Lutry, CH)
|
|
Pretty cool that this thread drew responses from
legends like Largo, Werner, Hudon, Chief, Tami, Grossman
all within the first 20 posts and 4 hours...
We all know the FFA story of Astroman.
What's the FFA story on Rostrum?
Wasn't Carrigan the first to link the roof?
|
|
Ryan Tetz
Trad climber
Flagstaff, AZ
|
|
Those two in a day would be awesome but Astroman, The Crucifix and The Rostrum in consecutive days would be quite a time. Add the West Face of El Cap on the fourth days and you could die a happy person.
This! Nice
|
|
|
SuperTopo on the Web
|
Let us know!