The Silent Line is the free version of the Gold Wall. Dean Potter freed the entire route at 5.13a, but there’s a bolt ladder through the 5.13a section on Pitch 1 that brings the grade down to 5.11b A0. The only 5.11 climbing is on Pitch 2, which can be aided at C2, so by aiding sections on Pitches 1 and 2, the route can be done at around 5.10 C2.

Steve the machine led the entire route, freeing the 5.11 sections to boot (I did not, although the route went free for me after Pitches 1&2). We climbed in fix and follow mode. We found it to be quite physical, with deep, flaring cracks and strenuous climbing throughout. The route offers unique sculpted rock, and a wild chimney that opens into a vertical chasm and ends with a horizontal belly crawl. It’s a fantastic line—but you gotta be in the mood for some burly, engaging climbing.

Ross and I had actually attempted this climb back on our Yosemite adventures in 2007—though I called it “Gold Wall” at the time—but we bailed a few pitches up due to the heat and the relentless flaring cracks.

This page includes a route overlay, time stats, and pitch-by-pitch photos from the climb.