El Gran Trono Blanco, Leaving On A Jet Plane. Mark Richards and I finished a new route, Leaving On A Jet Plane (VI A3+ 5.10, 13 pitches), between the Giraffe and Pan Am in early October. The route is non-stop exposure with a big-wall feel all the way. Lots of hooking, thin placements in seams and even some good crack and face climbing characterize the route. It meets Giraffe at Poncho Villa ledge and goes right across blank face (hooks and bolts) to a big ledge, then follows a crack system to the top.

The climbing and the views make for a great wilderness experience. Plan for three days on the route; bring portaledges and stick to small gear (the route is mostly clean, but bring some knifeblades and baby angles).

Werner R. Landry