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Upper Security Risk
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Plan B 

5.12b

   

FA: Ken Trout, Mark Rolofson, and Henry Lester, 1994
Type: Sport
Consensus: 5.12b [details]
Length: 1 pitch
Views: 861 page views

Submitted By: Richard M. Wright on Mar 30, 2001


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1st crux


Description 

Boy, oh boy, what a chance to spray about a great line! I am surprised that this route was not described here previously. First, the Upper Security Risk Crag is a great crag. And second, Ken Trout has put up some of the finest climbs anywhere. With Mark and Henry completing the picture, Plan B was guaranteed to be a classic, and it is all of that. On a cliff with nothing but great lines, this a really great line. Plan B starts just to the right of a grungy little off-width on a short pillar. It takes the face straight up crossing a pegmatite dyke and climbs largely on good edges and side pulls. The route reminded me of Ten Digit Dialing in Clear Creek, only longer and with no move harder than 5.12b. The cruxes start coming right away, first at bolts 2 and 3 and shortly later at bolts 4 and 5. The whole route is relentless with nearly every non-crux move at 5.11. Good, not too tricky climbing after the second crux at 40 ft takes you to a small overlap just before the first anchor. Pulling a 5.11 overlap and a couple more clips to the upper anchor just prolongs the fun. Plan B gets three stars for the super rock, the complex climbing, the continuity, and the superb job putting it all together.


Protection 

QD only. 13-14 draws will get you to the top. Actually, this route has two anchors, one at 75 ft and one at 90-95 ft. Double ropes for the higher anchor or a single for the first.



Add Photo Photos of Plan B
3d b

3d b

crux

crux

The route climbs just left of, and occasionally on, the white dike. The climbers in the top left of the photo are on the last pitch of Cracking the Code.

The route climbs just left of, and occasionally on...

Adrian on the first crux.

Adrian on the first crux.

Adrian approaching the second crux.

Adrian approaching the second crux.


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By richard magill
Oct 2, 2002

4 stars on a 3 star scale

By Anonymous Coward
Jun 9, 2003

The climbing is fun and the hand holds are good, but the feet are rather slippery. I dont reccomend trying this route in warm weather even if its in the shade...

But a great route worth the hike!

By Joe Collins
Sep 19, 2003
rating: 5.12b

Best mid-5.12 and under sport climb in the Canyon?Solid. Two 5.12 cruxes with a good shaking hold between them. Lots of other mid to hard-5.11 cruxes.

By Chris Archer
Oct 28, 2003
rating: 5.12b

Sport climbing in Boulder Canyon doesn't get much better than this route and Hot Flyer.

By Ken Cangi
From: Boulder, CO
Jul 26, 2005
rating: 5.12b

This is my vote for the best route of its grade in Boulder Canyon. The long, steep hike up to it is the warm-up.

By Danno
From: Lyons, CO
Apr 20, 2007
rating: 5.12b

Quality.Balls to the wall 12b.