Subject: Nicole Face
Rating: V4
Quality: 3stars
Location: Underground, JTree
Notes: lots of moves

The Nicole Face used to be an old friend of mine, Jon Browning's project. Then one day I brought Fred Nicole and company up to the Underground for a tour. I split for just a minute, and when I came back, there Fred was onsighting the first ascent of my buddy's project ...for a warm-up! Oops, sorry Browning. That one cost me 4:20. Nicole Face was originally graded V7! Many holds have broken since then, but ironically, the climb is actually easier now. The problem is quite long, and would be really tall if it weren't for the fact that the ground rises up along with the problem. I'm sure many more holds will break before this one becomes totally clean, but the moves are fun, and the climbing sustained.

Start almost sitting at the lowest possible rail down on the left. Climb up and then right diagonally for about 8ft. Finishes with a cruxy big move for huge incut plates along the lip. The landing rises steeply with some uneven areas.

-RtM

Climber: Rob Miramontes
Photos by C. Miramontes