I did V3 last week for the first time and just as you enter the V I traversed out to the right on the left facing face and around the corner. It seem like a logical way to go and I blindly followed some chalk of someone else who was probably off route. Was I on a variation or just off route?
Brian

That's commonly done by folks who believe it's easier out there. Been there myself actually. It's not easier (IMO). So I call it "the common, slightly off route variation".

I went out that way once when I thought I'd be able to pull through the V despite the fact that it was dripping water (I was wrong). I thought it was easier - but I think I have some sort of psychological issue with the V that always makes it seem hard to me. I'm still afraid to lead the stupid thing.

I did what Aya did. Followed it later on and the V turns out to be reasonably easy. I think the day I led it I was just tired.

Whenever I take someone new up the climb, they invariably look out onto the face. I tell them to get back into the V, that's the fun part of the climb.

Tried that whilst onsighting it last weekend; with an almighty {expletive}, I came to realize that it really isn't the way to go; reversed the moves, and went up into the V. Getting into the V was much easier and reasonably secure, comparatively.

T