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Ruckman Cave

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Extended Family 
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Head Full of Lead 
In Your Face 
Kielbasa Run 
Loose Cannon 
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Ruckman Cave

Submitted By: Nate Weitzel on Nov 4, 2001
Administrators: Ben Mottinger, Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monomaniac
Views: 4,733 page views

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Pete Winter on the ever popular Pinch Fest (5.12b)...


Description 

The Ruckman cave is one of the most popular walls in Rifle. It is home to classic lines such as Beer Run (5.13a), Street Knowledge (5.12a), Pinch Fest (5.12b), and In Your Face (5.12d). Many of the routes end under the large roof, although a few take on this feature, or climb the steep wall to either side. The wall houses a couple of Rifle warm-ups on the right side of the large roof. Solid climbing with some terrific features. Check out Pinch Fest for some of the most amazing natural holds I have ever seen. The cave gets morning sun, so it is a good place on cold days, but wait until evening for hot ones.


Getting There 

There is a large (8) car parking pull out 1.3 miles into the canyon, directly across from the Meat Wall. Park here, and walk across the wooden plank bridge, then follow the trail 20-30 feet to get to the wall. This trail leads directly to Pinch Fest.


The Classics

Mountain Project's determination of some of the classic, most popular, highest rated routes for Ruckman Cave:
Nessun Dorma   5.10     Sport, 70 feet   
Bloody Corner   5.10c R     Sport, 1 pitch, 70 feet   
Choss Family Robinson   5.11c     Sport, 1 pitch   
Firearms   5.11d     Sport   
Red Dawn   5.11d     Sport, 1 pitch, 50 feet   
Bolt Action   5.11d     Sport   
Loose Cannon   5.12b     Sport, 1 pitch, 100 feet   
Street Knowledge   5.12b     Sport, 1 pitch   
Pinch Fest   5.12b     Sport, 1 pitch   
Extended Family   5.12c     Sport, 1 pitch, 100 feet   
The Promise   5.12c     Sport, 1 pitch, 120 feet   
In Your Face   5.12d     Sport, 1 pitch   
Beer Run   5.13a     Sport, 1 pitch, 100 feet   
Browse More Classics in Ruckman Cave

Featured Route For Ruckman Cave
Red Dawn climbs the beautiful grey wall, just left of the tree.

Red Dawn 5.11d  CO : Rifle Mountain Park : Ruckman Cave
Red Dawn is a dead vertical crimp fest on beautiful blue limestone reminiscent of the Wasteland routes. Crimp your way up 6 closely spaced bolts and pull up onto a sloping ledge. The bolts stop at this point for some reason but luckily the climbing eases to 5.9. Hike the short runout to the anchors.Red Dawn is located about 25 right of Bloody Corner (10c) on the "other" Ruckman Cave wall that is 100 yards left of the cave proper. ...[more]   Browse More Classics in CO


Photos of Ruckman Cave Slideshow Add Photo
Left side of Ruckman Cave.

Left side of Ruckman Cave.


Comments on Ruckman Cave Add Comment
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By Jeff Welch
From: Lakewood, CO
Aug 5, 2009

I left a gray Eastern Mountain Sports hoody in the Ruckman Cave this afternoon, near the base of Street Knowledge and Head Full of Lead. Unfortunately I won't be able to get back to Rifle for about a week. I would really like to get it back if you happen to find it, will happily provide a 12er of your choice.