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Gus 

5.10d

   

FA: ?
Type: Sport
Consensus: 5.10 [details]
Views: 191 page views

Submitted By: Jeff Lockyer on Aug 7, 2001


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This route has access issues. Please read the note available on the The Catslab page.

Jeremy at the beginning of the crux.


Description 

To reach the base of Gus, go to the far right side of the catslab and scramble up the 3rd class corner to reach a ledge with a 2 bolt anchor. From here the climbing heads straight up an overhanging face above. The rock is not as clean as the rest of the catslab, due to lack of traffic, unlike the rest of the routes here. Don't let this discourage you. The climbing is steeper than it looks and is fairly continuous once the harder moves start. A great break from the rest of the slabby routes at the crag, great to mix it up. There may be some loose blocks on the way up the scramble so be careful for people below. Enjoy.


Protection 

2 bolt anchor - 11 bolts - 2 bolt anchor Approx. 95 feet from lower off.



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Gus, Catslab, Clear Creek Canyon, Colorado.

Gus, Catslab, Clear Creek Canyon, Colorado.


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By Leo Paik
Administrator
From: Westminster, Colorado
Mar 5, 2002

One star is generous. Did it once. I'd never recommend it to anyone. Some bolts seem suspicious due to the rock attached to the bolt. 10d for the scare factor only. Shattered rock, I'd call it. Beware!

By Brad Brandewie
May 28, 2002

I like this route a lot. It had more interesting moves than the other routes in the area. (excepting Rum Tug Tugger) The grade was way off though.(as are most if not all of the routes on this slab) I would call this route 9+.

By Anonymous Coward
Jul 11, 2002

A note about lowering and rope management:

If your rope is 50 meters or shorter you could have some difficultly actually getting to the ground. Since this is overhung and long, you may end up dangling a ways above the ground and out from the belay ledge--we ended up in this situation, and my belayer had to make a few moves up the climb so I could get down to the ground. I would recommend both the climber and belayer tieing in, so no one gets dropped.

That said, I really enjoyed this climb--it's the definition of exposure (although the moves are no harder than 9+/10-)

By John Keller
Oct 29, 2002

And what's this about the route going straight up? The first few bolts are in a line above the anchors but after that this route wanders all over. I recommend having one or two long slings to extend some of the clips to limit rope drag. Also, it would be very hard to clean while being lowered or on rappel as the top anchors are well left of the bottom anchors and way overhung. We ended up having the second follow to the top then rappelling from there. Our 200 just got us down to a flat spot on the scramble approach. All that said, it was a fun climb but certainly not 10d.

By Richard M. Wright
From: Lakewood, CO
Oct 31, 2002

So much for my ability to gauge human nature. The "crux" of Gus is on the headwall, and when this line was originally established I looked at the system of jugs on the right of the headwall and (honestly) asked myself "why would anyone choose the easier sequence when such a nice, more exposed, and tricky sequence can be had on the left?" Actually the comment raises an amusing issue concerning grades. Moving left, as I have always done it, entails thin fngers and a delicate smear on far left side of the headwall and close to 10d. The jugs on the right provide a much easier (perhaps not even 5.9) eascape to the anchor. I had placed the bolt a bit left in the hope of forcing the line to the more interesting sequence, however, my last run on Gus two or three years ago showed that most folks take the right side to finish. C'est La Vie. I guess we could ascribe left and right finishes to the line with different grades. I am reminded of the Zen aphorism: "when confronted with a choice of two paths, always choose the more difficult" (it will reward you more). Or perhaps more to the point, is rephrasing the Harvard Law of Biology: "the Climber will do as he damn well pleases".

By Matt Chan
Oct 7, 2003
rating: 5.10a

An decent line that trends up and to the left on jugs. Be sure to have a set, non-verbal means of communication with your belay - the creek drowns out nearly everything. Also, rapping might not be the best idea due to the difficulty getting back to the belay anchors. String your line with lowering (and rope drag) in mind.

By Nate Oakes
May 15, 2006

Definite scare factor - very exposed. Regardless of the grade, you feel like a champ finishing this route. I agree with Richard about the headwall crux, I did the juggy line to the right my first time out, and used the left sequence the next time, much harder. I would definitely recommend holding the rope when belaying down to avoid a tricky landing.

By Nathaniel Osenga
Jul 22, 2008
rating: 5.10a

A great climb! Don't siss out and take the juggy way around the crux though. I'm not a strong outdoor climber and I agree it doesn't feel like a 5.10d so don't be afraid to give this one a try. Very difficult to clean the draws being lowered though so consider having your belayer follow up and clean and rap off the top. Have fun!