What are the best routes on The Maiden?

There are two main classic routes, The East Ridge and The West Overhang. While both are highly challenging we find the East Ridge to be well worth the hike with about 5 pitches of climbing that varies from challenging 5.10 to more mellow 5.6. The West Overhang is 2 pitches and the approach is quite far. There are other routes like the South Face and North Face that are a little bit mellower but with some interesting challenges for the guides on the routes.

How hard is the approach?

It's a bit of a haul to get back to. We usually budget an hour and a half to get to the base. Most of it is on good trail but the last half hour or so is on a steep climber "trail" that will give you some good cardio before the hardest climbing right off the ground.

Is the rappel scary?

No more so than on the First Flatiron. It's fully overhanging as soon as you step off from the anchor. If you made it up the climb the rappel likely won't bother you.