Integrity | 8b+ Sport route at Real Hidden Valley


Contributors
duncancritchley
14 contributions since 9th December 2025.

Pics + Vids

No pics or vids yet.


Ascents

1 recorded ascents.

Climber Style Ascent Date Suggested Grade
Scott Cosgrove Lead | worked 1994
First ascent.

After using the Desert Shield as a work out I spent more and more time in the corridor trying to find the next line. Every route I checked never really worked out because of the quality of the rock; I had gotten so much flak for reinforcing some holds on Desert Shield with glue that I wanted to find a climb without such requirements. After many failed starts I found a line that started and ended on different features, but followed the desert varnish the entire way.

It really was like three different climbs in one; a 12C overhanging start got you to a 13B traverse to a desperate crux V10. With zero chance to rest you had to fire up another 13B section to finish the route.

The spring was dragging on and the temps raising, and still no red-point. I had all but given up for the season when, with a bloody hand and three failed red point burns that day, I decided against all logic to rest 50 minutes and try one last time.

Almost right away, I blew the first move and my finger burned, but climbing higher and higher I was feeling surprisingly solid, before I knew it, I was through the crux and on to the last 30' feet of solid 13B. The last move to the anchor is the easy, but I wasn't going anywhere, but somehow muster the power and with one mighty effort, nailed the 11A reach and clipped the anchor. After promising the late John Bachar never to glue in the Park again, I named the climb Integrity.

References

[1] https://www.mountainproject.com/route/108277152/integrity