Cowboy Bob's Chickenhead Delight

When looking up at the top of Middle Rock from the base of the south face one can't help but notice this steep, short face of awesome chicken heads. Cowboy Bob's Chicken Head Delight ascends straight up the face through some of the coolest chicken heads I've ever pulled down on. Unfortunately, the first half of the route is easy climbing before switching to the steep, featured climbing--you'll be wishing it was longer.

Start at the base of the south face on the far left side below the long, right-angling corner/overlap. Note that D. Jackson's book shows coming in from high up on the west rib but I think starting the climb from the base of the face gets you more climbing and one extra committing move to get established on the steep face initially.

Follow the long right-angling overlap (easy fourth class) up until you reach a super positive chalk-dusted flake below the chickenheads above. Get some pro at your feet here and then make a committing move to stand up onto the face. Tiny, tricky pro can be found here before a few balancy moves up to get into the very steep chicken head-infested face.

Trend right as you climb up through a few tricky sections between very positive chicken heads and flakes. A fixed nut (summer 2009) helps with the pro before finding a large chicken head to sling. Pull up onto what must be one of the bigger chicken heads in the state before making one last slabby move to easier ground and up to the top.

Start at the west end of the south face of Middle Rock. Look for the huge chicken head on the sky line...that's the destination.

Pretty light rack...I placed a red link cam, a green C3, clipped the fixed nut, a yellow C3 and slung a couple of chicken heads. Small to medium nuts would also be beneficial. Long slings to sling a chickenhead or two.