I'm interested in getting beta and gear list from someone who has recently done Astroman. Thanks.

-- Bruce Maples (bmaples@cinele.com), March 30, 2001

Answers

I think fast and light is the way to go. We used a 50 meter leadline and a 6mm tag/hauline to haul the pack so the second could climb unhindered (containing light jackets, water, some food, and one small headlamp) We ran the first 2 pitches together with some simalling. Start at first light at the start so you can get back down the slabs in time for pizza. I can't remember the rack exactly but I think we brought one or two each of the smallest cams and three each of cams from green or yellow alien thru a yellow camalot size and one or 2 cams in the blue #3 camalot size. On the second to the last pitch I got a little gacked since I didn't have enough larger pro for the 5.9 ow. Maybe I would bring a 3.5 camalot and another #3 for that pitch and leave them in the pack for that pitch for the next time I go up. Probably the radest climb I've ever done. Supersolid, clean, and beautiful. A great line. You only need a few 1" to 2" cams for the harding slot pitch: no big or small stuff. It will only get you stuck. A helmet might also get you stuck (we didn't bring any- the route is super clean). Also a single set of nuts with a couple of the medium-large hb aluminum offsets. We used a petzl tibloc on an oval to haul. A lot of liebacking. Probably more than on most routes of the grade. It pays to train

-- bob steed (bobsteed@hotmail.com), April 03, 2001.