The Torture Chamber area is both bouldering and short top ropes. There are some well known classics, but to be fun you can climb up all over the ridge to set a top rope. Primarily bouldering at the top of the ridge, then as working down the ridge towards S-Crack and Nemisis Tower more TR due to height (25-30 ft). Classics include the Torture Chamber traverse, Borgman's Bulge, and S-Crack(TR).
Getting There
From the intersection of Harmony and Taft Hill in SW Fort Collins, drive 1.8 miles west on Harmony to a dirt pull-off on the right before you come to the dam. The ridge that is in front of you and running back downhill and east is the Torture Chamber area.
Begin the problem down the ridge at the end of the first band of rocks, this is the Torture Chamber. The problem is a continuous, juggy traverse up the ridge to the right keeping the feet as high as possible, a long traverse without a doubt. Variations exist, probably all with a FA by Gill too, using smaller holds for the hands and keeping the feet higher. All the variations make the problem more difficult. ...[more]
While any one move on the TT Traverse may be V1, I would be surprised if the concensus grade of the entire traverse would be. I'm no Chris Sharma, but have done some pretty hard problems and climbs and this traverse is PUMPY! In the old Horan Front Range Bouldering guide it gets B1. Its gotta be 50 moves or so. What do ya think folks. (I'm opening myself up for some serious slander here huh?)
The problem is definitely pumpy, but it also has good hand holds throughout so I was reluctant to give it the V1 rating and was thinking more like V0-, but then before posting the climb I looked in Colorado Bouldering and saw the V1 grade so went with it. The climb is a great work out where you will definitely be feeling the pump by the end.
Pumpy traverse with a few sharp edges. Not too bad, though. Good high ball problems that are fun to do. I was here in late afternoon and felt the burn of the rock. Good for the hands!
Has any one else noticed that holds are "falling" off of some of the problems at the Torture Chamber? On the roof by the tree, Borglum's Bulge and the TT traverse key holds are no longer there. All of this has occurred since June or so of 2003. I suspect some self righteous asshole who believes they have a certain special right to the rock at horsetooth is to blame and they are taking it out on easier problems. This same thing was happening at the Tropics shortly before it was closed. Whoever you are STOP! You are not doing any one any good. Leave the frigging rock as it is!
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