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Ironing Board Slabs (Upper & Lower Slabs)
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Bee Line Highway 

5.9+

   

FA: Led: Al Simons Simons, Sparks, Leggits (on top rope)
New Route: Yes
Type: Sport
Consensus: 5.9+ [details]
Length: 1 pitch, 80 feet
Season: any
Views: 271 page views

Submitted By: allen simons on Jun 1, 2008


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Upper slabs with Bee Line Highway shown as #...


Description 

From belay at bottom of second slab, climb down left for 10 feet under first bolt and follow line of 7 bolts straight up center of slab. Crux about 1/3 of the way up. Excellent edging.

From the original post (this was originally entered as a TR and named Second Slab aka Bee Highway): 0.6 miles west of the Beige Siphon Tube there is a paved pullout on the south side of the road next to a big block of rock called the Borg. Look up to the east. 3 obvious slabs exist. Second slab is just up and left of the lower right slab. Start in the middle of the face and go up to a seam/crack. Follow the seam left then right (5.9) to the top or continues up the right side of the face (5.7) to the top.


Location 

Park 0.6 miles past Beige Siphon Tube. 4th class up road side and climb any of 6 routes to base of slab two. Anchor chains at belays top and bottom. May need two ropes.


Protection 

7 quickdraws.



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By Steve McCorkel
Nov 23, 2006

In 2004, I added a bolt-anchor to the top of the slab in hopes of returning and adding a few bolts to allow for a reasonable lead. I think this could be a mix of gear and bolts; and when finished, as a lead, it may be two out-of five stars.

By Scott Matz
From: Loveland, CO
Sep 15, 2008

These climbs were great in the day. I have a copy of Allen Simmons Big Thompson guide, and wanted to say thanks, but I have approached a lot of these slabs including the Double O Slab, and I'll tell you, very dangerous approaches for you and cars below. I'd hate to kill some pedestrian from my failed foot hold, and since the Big Thompson is very adventurous when it comes to free climbing. I bet these routes have been unclimbed for years.

By allen simons
From: Loveland
Sep 15, 2008

That would be the "Al Simons Bootleg guide". I'll second what you said about the loose approach and the possibility of kicking rocks off on cars. A couple of suggestions. Most often when I climb up there I hike the gully at 0.4 miles west of the tube and hit the ridge from that approach then rap into what ever climb im going to do. A lot less likley to kick rocks off. When rapping to the road from the loose gully at the 0.5 mi I wait till there is no traffic then move or rappel. You're right though, climbers in this area should take extra caution not to kick rocks into the highway. By the way, I'm working on a more detailed guide with photos and such. Allen

By allen simons
From: Loveland
Oct 2, 2008

This route is no longer just a TR. It is listed as Bee Line Highway now. There are still a couple of TR routes on this rock. Allen

By Scott Matz
From: Loveland, CO
Mar 3, 2009

Thanks Al. A lot of my beta comes from your guide. I've climbed the big T for years and still finding new slabs. You talked w/ Eric my buddy that lives behind the cherry store, we use your guide a lot. We did the routes on the beer cans last night, and plan on to ripp up the Big Thompson C. this year. It's my favorite little canyon.

By allen simons
From: Loveland
Mar 5, 2009

Thanks,
Glad the guide is helpful. I have always thought the canyon is a great place to climb. Allen