Uto Peak, SW Ridge, second step
The second step on Uto's Southwest Ridge. This is a perfect example of how the route difficulty can be adjusted through route finding. The right-most dihedral goes at moderate fifth class, while the next one over is a bit easier. The crest of the buttress on the left is more like class 3/4, and things can be kept to class three (as I recall) by passing the buttress on the left. Note the class 2 terrain in the foreground--there is a fair amount if this on the route. August 6, 2009.