The Sword of Damocles. C2 70'. This was the first ...
Description
This area was first recorded in Eric Bjornstad's Desert Rock III. Four tower climbs instigated by Pete Takeda and Duane Raleigh in 1992/3. These dirt towers of compressed shale with a sandstone cap rock can be seen as one drives passed Palisade on I-70 Interstate. These four towers climbed at that time where mostly quite short and fat. Seven years later from 2000 to 2001 Paul Ross with various partners cleaned up the area climbing nine more towers, some being extremely slim and spectacular for their size. Not great climbing, but they do have an element of risk and make great photos!! Please note the star system on these "things" apply only to this area.
Getting There
Take Exit 42 to Palisade about 200yds from the exit take the first road on the right G.7/10 Road. Follow this...it eventually bends to the right and goes under the Interstate to the My Garfield trailhead. All climbs are hiked to from here.
The Classics
Mountain Project's determination of some of the classic, most popular, highest rated routes for Things Of Beauty (aka Interstate I-70 Towers):
If you want a thrill, this is it. The smallest tower anywhere. One follows nail heads for about 65' up the edge of a steep ridge to the base of the 15' "skinny" tower. A couple of aid moves to reach the summit block (3'X 18"). On the first ascent as Ross stood up on the summit, the whole spire started to sway from its base.... A very quick but careful descent then took place!! Hurry if you want a second ascent.It is advisable not to clip ones rop...[more]Browse More Classics in CO
Photos of Things Of Beauty (aka Interstate I-70 Towers) Slideshow
You kids are the freakin' champs! I've been eyeing those horriffic hoodoos for too many years. Someone finally did it. . . and posted it even! So tell me, was it worth it punk. . . well, was it? (Good job, Paul)
Have you been to the top of the rim? If so, is there anything up there? I'm not sure of how to access, but I'll find out next week. There does seem to be some canyons and rock formations up there. . . .
To Cam. There does not seem to be many unclimbed towers left that are worth doing in this I-70 area. However, there are some spectacular knife edge ridges that would have the same pant filler experience as the towers.
You people are absolutely MAD! It looks like vertical kitty litter... Those pillars only exist because the capstone blocks rainfall from eroding the softer underlayers; basically some soft sheit!
Print a Mini-Guide - Includes Routes!
RSS Feed
Slideshow
