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Beast, The 
Believe It 
Capuccino 
Community Service 
Espresso 
Guilt Parade 
Gun Shy 
Lady Luck 
Never Believe 
Popular Demand 
Ruckus 
Slacker 
Thieves 
Vision Thing 

The Wasteland

Submitted By: Chris Beh on Oct 30, 2001
Administrators: Ben Mottinger, Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monomaniac
Views: 3,867 page views

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Minko on Thieves.


Description 

This is where it all began. Contrary to guidebook information, the Wasteland's classic Never Believe (12d) was the first sport route in Rifle. The routes here are short for Rifle, generally ending after 50-80 feet. They more than make up for their lack of length, however, with the beauty of the blue-grey stone and the sustained, powerful nature of the climbing. Many of the older routes, especially in the middle of the cave, have become hyper-polished, so don't feel discouraged if a given route (The Beast for example) feels harder than the grade.


Getting There 

Drive into the Canyon, passing the obvious cave of the Arsenal on the left. Park just past the Arsenal; you'll cross a bridge and turn into a large parking area on the left. Landmarks include an in-situ trash dumspter and a port-a-potty, as well as a sign on the left for the Koper Ice Cave Trail.

This parking area is about a mile and a half from the entrance to the canyon, where the road turns to dirt. Cross the road and take the narrow trail through the thick brush to the base of the crag.

Approach time: 15 seconds.


The Classics

Mountain Project's determination of some of the classic, most popular, highest rated routes for The Wasteland:
Community Service   5.11c     Sport, 1 pitch   
Ruckus   5.12b     Sport   
Gun Shy   5.12c     Sport, 1 pitch   
Espresso   5.12c     Sport, 1 pitch, 60 feet   
Never Believe   5.12d     Sport, 1 pitch   
The Beast   5.12d     Sport, 1 pitch   
Thieves   5.13a     Sport   
Vision Thing   5.13a     Sport, Chipped   
Browse More Classics in The Wasteland

Featured Route For The Wasteland
Minko on The Beast.

The Beast 5.12d  CO : Rifle Mountain Park : The Wasteland
This venerable classic is many people's first 13a at Rifle, despite the fact that climbers have been bickering over the 12d vs 13a grade for the last decade. Were it in Europe it would be 7c+, which is 13a, so give yourself a pat on the back if you redpoint this slippery beast.This route is just right of Never Believe and climbs directly up the center of the blue-grey panel of water-sculpted rock in the middle of the Wasteland. It ca...[more]   Browse More Classics in CO