I stem on the two side walls of Baby Star, trying to rehearse the sequence.

If this route were a product, it would never pass a UX review. It's covered in thick moss, the key holds are hidden beyond plain sight. The user would have to rely on memory and intuition to move through the sequence.

The start. Left hand to the long diagonal crimp. Left foot moved gingerly to the long and thin feature on the rock. Match foot.

The first challenge. Right hand cross to the tiny pocket. Shift my bodyweight leftwards. Maintain tension, try not to spit off the wall.

Pull hard on the right pocket with however many fingers I have on it. Left hand scramble for the quickdraw. Tiptoe, try and clip the bolt above. Grab the rope, clip it into the biner. Breathe.

The hidden hold. Look for the splatter of chalk on the left. Deep behind the chalk marks, lies a hidden crimp. Grab the crimp. Can't find it? Keep digging like I'm searching for my Airpods at the bottom of my bag.

The transition. Step on the tiniest of features on the left sidewall. Bump my right hand on the only ergonomic hold on this route – a well-designed crimp, with space for my four fingers and an indent for my thumb. Bump up my right foot on the right sidewall. Hop up onto the tiny ledge on the left sidewall. Now, eyes on the undercling. Stand up and grab it. Shout if necessary. It's necessary! Did I catch it? Am I still on the wall?

The crux. Keep going! Fast! Stuff my right foot somewhere on the left ledge. Pull out a quickdraw. Clip. Blood pumping. Bump my right hand up to the diagonal crimp. Step further up. Now, see the undercling on the right of the crimp? That's where I need to go. Breathe. Cross my left hand over my right and grab the undercling. Now, I feel like falling. It's normal. Pull out my right hand, fall into the sandy and slopey ledge. Maintain body tension, don't fall!

The last dance. I'm almost there! Swap feet on the left side wall. Step higher with my left foot. Activate my core muscles, pull the undercling, find the pointy right foothold, step. It's not the end yet! Maintain focus! Bump my right hand to the jug covered in leaves and soil. Swing my left foot up the ledge. Left hand reach into the bushes. Right hand press and stand up.

Victory, almost! Now just pray for the belayer that no rocks get dislodged from the final scramble.

As of 8 Nov '25, the author is still hopefully just one attempt away from sending this route.