I know Boulder is home to many here and probably boring to see the same old climbs. But, I took a trip there at the end of June with three other KC area climbers and two had never been. It was pretty exciting to see their reaction. Classic Boulder camping:
So what do you do when you first go to Eldo? We had it all to ourselves!
I got the first lead roped with Brent.
Kurt and Corbin follow.
Corbin got a little tense finishing the second pitch.
Kurt eyes the 5.8 finish!
Corbin pulls the lip.
We also ran over an treated them to Calypso. Back to town and a pizza at the Sink. We met Crimpie and Brassnuts for some drinks and they got us in contact with Tarbuster.
Next day it was time for another Eldo Classic, Rewritten.
Kurt facing the crux of the 5.8+ start.
Corbin on the classic hand traverse.
Brent follows me up Rebuffet's Arete
Fun belay for that pitch.
What an amazing position. Curt belays Corbin up the last pitch of Rewritten.
Great day! Next day, Corbin and Curt planned to do the Kiener's Route on Longs to celebrate Corbin's 21st birthday. Tarbuster had called and graciously invited us to crash at his place in Nederland. So we headed west. Tarbuster was a great host and we got some great stories, especially about his amazing day trips along the divide. He also took us for a walk. This is what we were treated to:
The boys were able to use Tarbuster's computer to get current conditions for their planned route. The status was described as "spooky and scary" and it had been avalanched within the previous week. So, they decided that they would go to the Monestary with Brent and me instead. After a great breakfast with Tarbuster, we headed for Estes.
The Monestary is a sport climbing area so I would be doing sport climbing for the first time ever in Colorado. This is also the
first time I had ever been sandbagged by locals. We showed up with only 2 quickdraws and racked up with trad draws. We were recommended a 13 bolt route that was not in the guidebook but the locals said was 5.7. I was first up so thought this would be a cruise.
Brent did it after me and we were both shaking our heads. 5.7??
Bottom line - 5.9+ on Mountain Project.
As with the previous 2 days, we got rained on so retreated back to Boulder Canyon. Next day was the Dome and Cobb Rock.
Brent on the Dome.
Corbin finishing Empor on his 21st birthday.
And when the rain came, we hid under a big rock by the river and Brent broke out the birthday celebration:
On our final day we opted for a casual day on the 9 pitches of the First Flatiron.
Brent turning the crux!
One of the many false summits.
It was an amazing trip. Great climbing, got to meet with crimpie and brassnuts AND tarbuster.