Description
The right side of Motherlode Rock's north face is home to this fine route up the striking northwest arete, which from the west looks like the head of a giant lizard.
Start in a shallow right-facing corner around and right from
Smackdown
and climb up and slightly left to a stance atop a pillar. Above the pillar the climb goes slightly right to gain the arete proper which goes slabby after a few moves and leads to the base of a short headwall. The next moves are the crux and involve moving off a good left hand in a shallow corner as your right hand pinches the arete to gain a horizontal (the Lizard's mouth) and then the anchors (these last moves are somewhat reachy).
Good exposure, enjoyable movement and quality rock make this a route to seek out on this portion of Motherlode Rock.
Location
Right side of the north face on the obvious sharp arete.
Protection
4 bolts, sport anchors