About This Route
Touchstone Wall in Pine Creek Canyon delivers 10 pitches of 5.11 crack climbing on Zion's cleanest sandstone, pioneered by Stewart Davis in 1993. Rated 5.11a, it mixes fingers to hands with varnished black streaks. Hike 20 minutes up Pine Creek slot from the road, permit required for canyon entry. Ideal for free climbers; 8-12 hours car-to-car. Rappels stay climber's right. Practice Leave No Trace: no chalk on greasy holds, pack micro-trash.
Safety Considerations
Pine Creek flash floods are deadly; NPS logs multiple fatalities. Check weather via Zion's ranger station; never enter if rain upstream. Varnish holds slippery when wet; dry rock only. Rockfall from slot walls; helmet up with Mammut Wall Performer. Heat stroke symptoms hit fast: confusion, seizures per NPS. One gallon water minimum, shade breaks mandatory. Rattlers and poison ivy line the approach. Partner checks prevent gear failures on thin gear placements.
Essential Gear
Singles #0.5-#3 cams, extra fingers, nuts. 60m rope suffices. Approach shoes like La Sportiva TX4, sticky 5.10 Anasazi for leads. Wading shoes for creek cross, bug dope, and emergency bivouac tarp.