Ancient Art - Scaling an Exposed Spire in the Fisher Towers

Ancient Art is a desert tower located on the unique Cutler Sandstone formation, offering a thrilling climbing experience unlike any other. This climb is often the first desert tower for rock climbers, making it an exciting adventure for those looking to test their skills in the desert environment. With its mild grade of 5.8 and a few sections of 5.10 face climbing, Ancient Art is an accessible and exhilarating climb for experienced climbers.

As you climb up the tower, you'll notice the ancient muddy environments that formed this unique rock layer. The climbing in the beggining is mild and allows you to become familiar with the grainy rock texture. A major section of the climb is chimney and handcracks in which you'll have the opportunity to use multiple techniques to ascend. You'll encounter short sections of 5.10 face climbing that can be climbed or aided through, offering a challenge for climbers or an easy bypass for climbers that aren't interested.

The final section of the climb is where things get really exciting. You'll encounter a narrow, 1-2 foot wide sidewalk that stretches out 25 feet to the spire, with a daunting 300+ feet of air on both sides. This narrow and precarious ledge is like walking the plank on a pirate's ship, offering a thrilling and nerve-wracking experience. After traversing this intimidating ledge, you'll come to the infamous 'Diving Board' - a narrow ledge that requires a belly flop to ascend. Once you've made it onto the ledge, you'll face climb 5.9 moves to the top of the extremely exposed and tiny desert spire. The views from the top are breathtaking, and you'll feel like you're on top of the world (literally!). The very tippy top of the tower is only big enough for one person to stand on, which can induce vertigo - but don't worry, it's all part of the adventure!

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