Skippin' Stones starts just right of Quartz Sports on a nice face below a large-ish overhang. The whole route is easier than it looks. Follow 5 bolts up the face (5.8) to a good shake under the 45 degree roof. Get started under the roof and twist through the crux at bolt 7. Use some monsterous jugs to finish the overhang (.10) and hit the anchor.
This route features a high concentration of steel (more bolts than I usually place, especially through the roof...), so it feels super safe, but still quite fun. It should be a good warm-up for the harder routes on The Crystal Tower and will clean up nicely with traffic.
By Tony Bubb From: Boulder, CO Jun 12, 2005 rating: 5.11b
I enjoyed this line and it is a nice addition to the wall, but I think 5.11- is a bit of a sandbag. The route is pumpy and the holds above are a bit blind. As well there is a crux pinch that is pretty tough for small hands. I think on-sighting this would be pretty unlikely for a 5.11a climber. I can generally flash 5.11- for a warm up and I was punted from this climb.
Hey, we're in CCC, remember? Land of "Charmin-soft" grades, close bolts, etc. This rig is mad-burly for CCC 11a. Gawdamm excellent, brilliant line, however!! Awesome position, strangely "big" air for a 1-pitch sport route.
Thanks for establishing this absolute gem! You guys really know what you're doing, and we appreciate it.
Very cool moves and sustained climbing. This sandbag at 5.11- may go at 5.11c or hard 5.11b. However, you won't get hurt trying regardless of the grade. It's super well bolted in the crux roof. Also, there are two a more new routes around to the right that look like they were put in by the same group. What's up with these??
You WILL get hurt if you fall off the roof in the right (wrong) place. I managed to bash my right knee on the lip and burn the back of my left knee on the rope in the same fall.
By desbien From: denver,co May 29, 2007 rating: 5.11c
Pretty mellow until the roof. Shoot off the left hand pinch to a solid rail, match and bump up left. I didn't see the potential for an injurious fall. I saw the second set of anchors only after the fact. they may make the finish a bit less awkward. By the way someone got into serious trouble using the Tyrolean this weekend. Always clip both ropes or you will dangle in the water.
By Tony Bubb From: Boulder, CO May 29, 2007 rating: 5.11b
No drilled hole on it when I did it, and I can tell you for sure that if there is one now, that it wasn't done by the FA party.
Dipping into the creek on the tyro is how this route got its name. I stopped the route short of the upper anchors because you need to use some fragile pillars to get there.