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Cynical Pinnacle

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Cynical Pinnacle

Submitted By: John McNamee on Feb 17, 2006
Administrators: Ben Mottinger, Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst
Views: 41,682 page views

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This area has access issues. Please read the note available on the Cathedral Spires Area page.

Cynical Pinnacle


Description 

Cynical Pinnacle is probably the most popular of the crags in the Cathedral Spires of the South Platte. It's prominent south-facing prow attracts the eye for miles. This spire hosts a number of fine routes. The ever popular Center Route gains the greatest lines & waits. However, Wunsch's Dihedral is an excellent sustained line for the intermediate to advanced crack climber. Turf Spreader draws the eye, but requires a pumpy roof to gain entry to its beautiful upper crack. The Prayer Book was once featured in a Jeff Lowe video. Breashear's Crack is a fun test piece for the advanced.


Getting There 

Walk uphill up one of the various of the trails ascending from the North Fork of the South Platte River. You may pass various abandoned relics from a different era along the way.


Descent 

Double ropes are necessary to rappel down the S face.



Featured Route For Cynical Pinnacle
Fighting the steep and unrelenting jams of the second pitch.

Wunsch's Dihedral 5.11  CO : South Platte : Cynical Pinnacle
5 stars. This may be THE best crack climb in the South Platte region. If you have not done this route, get after it ASAP. The climb takes on the awesome, striking crack and corner system which splits the south face of Cynical Pinnacle. Hump up the hill, and find the steep corridor which leads to the start of this and the Center Route. The route described here is "The Complete Wunsch's Dihedral", which avoids the original first pitch.Pitch 1:...[more]


Add Photo Photos of Cynical Pinnacle
It is usually climbable during the winter months, you may have to wait a couple of days for the snow to melt.

BETA PHOTO: It is usually climbable during the winter months, ...

The C.P. from the approach as seen in 1996. Photo by Tony Bubb.

The C.P. from the approach as seen in 1996. Photo ...

The C.P. from a little closer on the approach. 'Wunch's Dihedral' and 'The Center Route' are pretty plainly visible from here.

The C.P. from a little closer on the approach. 'Wu...

Cynical Pinnacle is the spire on the right hand skyline.

Cynical Pinnacle is the spire on the right hand sk...

CYNICAL PINNACLE TOPO<br />

CYNICAL PINNACLE TOPO


Couple of parties on the Prayer Book Feb. 24, 08.<br />

Couple of parties on the Prayer Book Feb. 24, 08.



Add Comment Comments on Cynical Pinnacle
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By DaveWorld
Jul 9, 2008

While I can certainly appreciate Ken Trout's frustration, I am not sure which political camp we should blame - probably both who support this needless ban for different reasons. Although the peregrine falcon has been delisted for some time now, land managers have continued the seasonal climbing bans to continue. Maybe to appeal to enviornmentalists by demonstrating their "green side"? (Never mind all the oil and gas permits being rubber stamped.) A friend of mine did not know about the ban on the Mickey Mouse wall and bushwacked up to it only to get a 200.00 ticket, we were turned away at Cochise Stronghold this spring for the same reason and now I see the ban is still in effect for the Cathedral Spires. Is there anything we can do? Does anyone have any ideas other than to just sneak in? (And park elsewhere!)