Patty some where on the upper half of the N.E. Rid...
Description
This route is the only documented and obvious route on The Keel. It traces the summit ridge of the Keel for about 1000' from the base to the summit, but is almost never far from the ground.
Location
Find the right-most end of the Keel (Northeast) and begin climbing on the higher of the two bands of rock there. For about 20 meters, the rock has some pine needles and is lower angle, but after that it straightens out and continues on good territory for 1000 feet to the summit.
Protection
Opportunity for gear seemed to exist and was probably be ample for a safe lead with a standard rack, but this flatiron was best as a solo and having been done as such, I can't say much more. There are 3 options for descent: 1) 80' of rope would make the descent easiest- rap from the tree growing up against the summit from the ground. 2) Down-climbing the ridge a few hundred feet to the last walk-off to the west. 3) Down-climb the east face for perhaps 100' to the ground to the South- from any given point this is possible, but might be the crux of the route.
By Ernie Port From: Boulder, Colorado May 27, 2008
Agree with Tony on the descent...if soloing this, the 80' down climb from the summit to the south walk off is the crux. Not too bad though. Wouldn't recommend down climbing the tree, as the branches are all dead. Bear hugging the bottom 15-20' to the ground from the last branch wasn't the option we chose to take....
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