This is a 500 foot route on the Dome of Size in Ventana Canyon. The first ascent of this was done by Karl Rickson and myself on Saturday, December 14, 1996.
Drive to the Ventana Canyon resort and park in the area designated as trailhead parking. Hopefully access status is stable now, but it may still be worthwhile to check. Hike up the trail 2 miles to the summit of a long set of switchbacks. Here you are on top of a dike-like ridge that tries to block the canyon. (The stream passes by on the east). You have an excellent view up-canyon now for the first time and should be sure to identify the dome on the left (west) side of the canyon. It is the largest and nicest piece of rock on that side of the canyon and is pretty much the last significant cliff you can see from this point on that side of the canyon. It looks deceptively close, but you will hike another 2 miles before you get to the place on the trail where you will hike left and up to the dome itself.
Leave the trail and hike up a gully, wide and open with rock slabs at this point, but further up, wander thru oak and brush to the right, and then up and left to gain a brush and tree covered ledge that you follow back right to the base of the routes. Worth of Girth is a prominent left leaning crack and ramp. Into the Mystic is a worthwhile 5.8 route further around right and Measure of Men is below and left of the route. In other words "worth" lies between these two routes.
The first pitch (5.7) goes up to the base of the crack system. It does not climb the shallow dihedral, but climbs a nicely featured arete that forms its left side and up over a bit of overhanging rock to a ledge at the base of the crack.
The second pitch (5.9) follows the crack to an amazingly exposed finish pretty much directly over measure of men. Belay on a nut anchor at the first easy ground amid chickenheads.
The third pitch ascends easy chickenheaded face (5.5) up and left to a big ledge with a tree. A fourth pitch goes up and somwhat right to the summit. Easy walk off the backside and descend the gully on the side of the dome facing the city. Bring a good assortment of big nuts (10 and 11 hex, #4 Camalot). Small tricams are handy on the first pitch.
Tom's Rock Climbing Info / [email protected]