South Platte Appreciation!

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gonzo chemist

climber
a crucible
Topic Author's Original Post - Feb 11, 2010 - 06:15pm PT
Most of my climbing experience is from my time here in California; but some the most fun, scary, or inspired climbing days I've ever had have been in the Splatte on the Sheep's Nose, Bucksnort Slab, Sunshine Wall, Parachute Rock, Turkey Rocks, Squat Rock, or in Eleven Mile Canyon. Hell, some of the first slab climbing I've ever done was on The Dome. Generally awesome granite, and cracks and slabs-galore makes (in my opinion) the Platte one of the best under-the-radar climbing destinations in the U.S.

and there's got to be TONS of f.a. potential still there!


A couple of random photos from a few years ago...


The Dome

Sheep's Nose

leading Kirk's Corner on Squat Rock (before the closure)

buttshot of me on the 1st pitch of Lost in Space, Sheep's Nose. We ended up getting lost and wandering all over the damn formation, having no real idea where the climb goes. Got caught in a nice hail storm too...that was real fun.


Classic Dihedral

my buddy Mike Murphy on Higher Education on Squat Rock.

taorock

Trad climber
Okanogan, WA
Feb 11, 2010 - 06:22pm PT
Two thumbs up. Nice mellow camping at Turkey Rocks too.
bob

climber
Feb 11, 2010 - 06:26pm PT
I have no pics, but during the 90's when I was a raft guide we'd hit that place until the water got high then we'd hit it again for a month when the water went low and usually sneak off in between. Man I did some sh#t there that I would not do today....I think. Some of the best times all around I've had. The whole experience. We'd wonder around sometimes never finding what we set out for and it was never bad. Almost died of a lightning strike, but that's not the only place. So many splitters, slabs, mix, etc plus all the countryside!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wow.
How about that Whimsical Dreams!!!! Sheet everything at Turkey Rocks!
Bob J.
Dick Danger

Trad climber
Lakewood, Colorado
Feb 11, 2010 - 07:00pm PT
Right on Gonzo! Thanks for dishin' out some love to the Platte! Been my home stomping grounds for darn near 20 years or so now... Never a dull moment!

Heading up to the Cathedrals to do Center Route early Saturday morning. Good stuff! A "must do" for anyone in the neighborhood.

Tom

Good shot of Cynical Pinnacle:

steveA

Trad climber
bedford,massachusetts
Feb 11, 2010 - 07:07pm PT
Love Turkey Rocks! I'm on the East Coast and climbed there a few times with Jimmy Dunn. Really liked Drumstick Direct.
Levy

Big Wall climber
So Cal
Feb 11, 2010 - 08:14pm PT
Definitely a cool place. I did Childhood's End on Big Rock Candy Mtn. last year. 9 pitches of interesting face climbing with a tough crux area I ended up yarding thru on.
A view of the "60's Girl"
Looking down the 5.10d pitch up high on Childhood's End.


Turkey Rocks were nice too.

I found the rock a bit grainy on the Big Rock formation but I'd go back for sure.
SteveW

Trad climber
The state of confusion
Feb 11, 2010 - 09:55pm PT

Nah, these guys got it all wrong.


It's all choss. . .stay home, the trips not worth it. . .
Petch

Gym climber
knapsack crack
Feb 11, 2010 - 10:33pm PT
the platte is the only thing rad in "colo-not-so-rad-o"!
Andy D

Trad climber
Colorado
Feb 11, 2010 - 10:38pm PT
At least its not in Cali-phony-a
Levy

Big Wall climber
So Cal
Feb 11, 2010 - 10:50pm PT
Yeah- good thing it's not in Cali or it would never be bothered with. The choss lovers in the Rockies seem to like it but those who climb on real rock know better.

Andy D- too bad you have not been around to see what real quality stone is all about. Keep on chossing off.
Jingy

Social climber
Nowhere
Feb 16, 2010 - 10:51am PT
Never been there, but I can appreciate the place with these pics...

good stuff
gonzo chemist

climber
a crucible
Topic Author's Reply - Feb 16, 2010 - 11:35am PT
Badass!

http://www.climbing.com/news/hotflashes/new_route_likely_south_plattes_hardest/

le_bruce

climber
Oakland: what's not to love?
Feb 16, 2010 - 04:44pm PT
Bump for a magical area of the American west, and for more pictures.

11-mile is heaven for beginners.

Lost in Space was one of my favs in the S Platte.
John Mac

Trad climber
Littleton, CO
Feb 16, 2010 - 05:04pm PT
SheepRock area, The Land That Time Forgot is my favourite place, especially in the heat of summer. You can go there on a weekend day and never see another party. The place has miles of great climbing in a great setting.

http://www.mountainproject.com/v/colorado/south_platte/goose_creekmolly_gulch_campground/105925803

Crimpergirl

Sport climber
Boulder, Colorado!
Feb 16, 2010 - 05:34pm PT
Here's a TR from last year when winter didn't come to Boulder or the area. It's a different story this year so I have not had the opportunity to "appreciate" the South Platte again. Enjoy the photos.

http://www.supertopo.com/climbing/thread.php?topic_id=727393&msg=727393#msg727393

edit: and here is the first photo - never realized it didn't show in the TR last year.

Bob D'A

Trad climber
Boulder, CO
Feb 16, 2010 - 05:39pm PT
OK...I'll bite.

Early ascent of Seamis (11b/c) back 1979.

FA of Psycho Babble 12b 1981

Pete Steres On Childhood End

FA of Doctor Dream 12c 1982 Rampart Range


5.10 crack...11 Mile Canyon

A very early ascent of Childhood End

FA of the Arms Race 5.12a/b 11 Mile Canyon

Dale Goddard on some crack

Richard Aschert drilling a new 12b we did on Tick Dome

Bouldering at Ute Pass

Mueller State Park

Mueller State Park
Brokedownclimber

Trad climber
Douglas, WY
Feb 16, 2010 - 08:05pm PT
I wasn't aware of the closures in the Splatte! It's been years since I climbed there. I have really great memories of Topographical Oceans on Dome Rock. Climbed it in 1984 with Gary Molzan and Anne Carrier. Thought that the final crux was one of the most foot-painful pitches ever. About 60 feet of very tiny crystals, thin edges, and a few smears. It was originally called 5.11a, but it was then downgraded to 10b (?) I seem to recall. Anybody done it recently?
John Mac

Trad climber
Littleton, CO
Feb 16, 2010 - 08:23pm PT
Typographical Oceans 10b and the route next to it Bolts to Somewhere 10a are both great routes. I never get tired of climbing them. The Dome is a great place to spend a day or two. Haven't been there this year but was on it in the fall.

Real shame about the access issues in the south platte, particular around pine. Swat rock which is a really small area had some nice face and crack climbing. Hopefully one day it will reopen.

Link to the Dome
http://www.mountainproject.com/v/colorado/south_platte/cathedral_spires_area/105746218

Link to Squat Rock
http://www.mountainproject.com/v/colorado/south_platte/pine_area/105745190

Brokedownclimber

Trad climber
Douglas, WY
Feb 17, 2010 - 07:30pm PT
Classic Dihedral is another fine route. We were bombarded by some a**hole throwing bags of garbage from the top, and nearly wiped Gary off the rock.
Decko

Trad climber
Colorado
Feb 17, 2010 - 11:32pm PT
Hiking into what we called Secret Valley last fall.....Deep in the South Platte


We wonder if these formations have been climbed as we hiked past



Our destination, 3.5 hours in.......we called it Secret

Crack

Yea the South Platte. We saw not a single other climber that long day...
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