Colchuck Balanced Rock, Accendo Lunae, new variation

Washington, Stuart Range
Author: Blake Herrington, AAC. Climb Year: 2012. Publication Year: 2013.

Scott Bennett, Graham Zimmerman, and I climbed a new variation on Colchuck Balanced Rock (8,200’), which connects the start and crux ofLet it Burnwith the end and crux of the west face. From a narrow ledge atop Let it Burn’s fifth pitch, we moved right and found a steep, off-sized splitter leading to a sloping belay ledge in a tight corner. The second new pitch followed a thin crack and flare past a square-cut roof and a final thin-hand crack to join the west face beneath its crux roof. Accendo Lunae (1,000 5.12-) is Latin for “illuminating of burning moon,” as none of the trio had a headlamp for the final pitch and descent.

Blake Herrington, AAC