I did it with a buddy, my wife and my dad and it wasn't too bad. They all got through the real tight spot but I just went out more towards the front of the wall (away from the middle) and it was easy and I had plenty of room. My buddy went stright through the real tight spot though and I couldn't fit, so I just unclipped and climbed to the top and let my wife deal with getting the gear. We also had another guy with us though who started crying because he got stuck, so whatever. I didn't think it was that bad and neither did my dad and that was his first and only time climbing.
there are many ways around that. it's fun to rap into the chimney and do the squeeze. you can drop your harness just before the squeeze for more pleasure.
I followed Steve Freas up it eons ago. He soloed it.
We rapped down through that slot and I've used it as my Tower rappel ever since. In fact, it's my favorite rappel in the Red. You're completely free hanging once you get free of hte chimney and you're way up there.
Ascentionist-
That's funny, that's who I watched doing it last weekend. I would say I belayed him, but although the rope was tied to him and came down to me where I held it in a belay device, I can't quite bring myself to call it a belay.
Gear just gets in the way, don't bother bringing it, you won't use it.
"Oh, everything's too damned expensive these days. This bible cost 15 bucks! And talk about a preachy book! Everybody's a sinner! Except this guy." - Homer Simpson
Words of wisdom- I brought gear up this thing and cussed it the whole way. I had all that shit trailing on the rope behind me by the end- Felt pretty dumb
