This obscure and neglected crag--even by Pass standards--is now home to an excellent selection of "new" sport routes. I say "new" because the routes are shrouded in some historical fuzziness. Several routes listed in Perkins' original guide as "projects" were mysteriously removed from later editions. Although it's hard to know for sure, sniffing around the climbing community suggests that the "projects" were bolted by Chris Beh and/or Kurt Smith just before the discovery of Rifle, and abandoned once everyone switched their focus to Rifle. Regardless this in now one of the best zones for hard sport climbing on the pass with three quality lines from .12b to .13a/b. The "new" routes get morning and afternoon shade.
Getting There
Park at the Grotto Wall Parking area. Walk up and left along the base of the Grotto Wall past Twin Cracks, before cutting left across the Talus (don't gain or lose elevation)to reach the crag. A 10 minute walk. A giant fallen pine tree marks the crag's base.
The Classics
Mountain Project's determination of some of the classic, most popular, highest rated routes for Nude Buttress:
I bolted Liar, Liar in 1989 and Kurt bolted the route to the right (Unspoken Truth) at the same time. I never red pointed my line. Not sure if Kurt ever sent Unspoken Truth. I showed Eric Fedor these routes in the mid 90s. We upgraded some bolts and he redpointed Unspoken Truth.
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