Leopard Skin, 5.7, 4 Pitches

Approach

Leopard Skin is in the section of Island in the Sky they call the sand dunes area because of course it is directly across the road from the sand dunes in Snow Canyon. Park at the West Canyon day use parking lot. Walk south on paved road for about 100 yards. Head east across the wash to an obvious scree slope for access to the second tier. Once on the second tier you need to traverse right.

Route Description

You are looking for a friction slab past two pins to a crack and station above.

First Pitch- Move up the friction slab with the crux move coming early on a short traverse right. Clip two pins on your way to the crack above. Use a medium cam in the crack and proceed to a ledge above with anchor. (5.7, 50’)
Second Pitch- Do a lengthy horizontal traverse right past four pins and up to a two pin anchor. (5.7, 65’).
Third Pitch- Take the varnish slab holds straight up past seven pins to a three pin anchor (5.6, 70’).
Fourth Pitch- More of the same past seven pins to a sling anchor (5.6, 70’).

On descent traverse down to your right (south) and rap the chimney to the lower tier and head back north to where you ascended. There is a more challenging unnamed route we did once we rapped the chimney a few feet further south.

Essential Gear

Many of the routes in Snow Canyon require two ropes for rappels. A dozen quickdraws, small rack of cams and of course helmet and climbing shoes. This is the desert, so plenty of water is never a bad idea.

Images

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