“The cruxes are not at all straightforward, and I found myself breaking up each hold and each individual movement into its own problem to best find a method through the entire route,” Siegrist said in an email. “It required more work just to figure out the sequences than I usually expect. I thought the problem-solving method I used was somewhat algorithmic.”

After starting up Son of Discovery (5.13a), Algorithm ventures right into sharp, sequential, thin, and powerful climbing before the 5.14, 60-foot headwall.

“It’s a huge pitch,” Siegrist said. “There’s a lot of climbing variety on it, but the meat of the climbing is in the two cruxes: one mid-height and one way up there [at the top]. Both are very thin, with long moves and horrible feet. The upper crux is pumpy, thrilling, and amazing! The overall route is definitely sharp; the skin takes a beating.”

Date of ascent: September 8, 2012

Sources: Jonathan Siegrist, SEI Climbing