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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, Monomaniac
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The Cathedral Spires are closed from March 1 to July 31 for raptor nesting.

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.


West side of Cynical Pinnacle, taken from Sunshine Wall, Feb '09.

West side of Cynical Pinnacle, taken from Sunshine...


Add Comment Comments on Cynical Pinnacle
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By Monty
From: golden
Feb 15, 2009

Just wanted to mention that you can get down from the summit with a 70m rope. From the shoulder on top of Center Route, run across the wall to the top of the handcrack on Turf Spreader (bolt and fixed nut). Then to the next bolted anchor on the slab and so on.

By Kevin Stricker
From: Evergreen, CO
Feb 16, 2009

A 60m rope works fine for this, just knot your ends when you penji right to the third pitch anchor of Turf Spreader.

By slim
Feb 16, 2009

Haven't ever done it with a 60, but it sounds nervewracking. Probably want to be careful if doing so.

By Guy Humphrey
From: Fort Collins CO
Feb 16, 2009

A 60m works great for the descent. The last rap will put you on the ledge, which is part of the 4th class approach.

The summit register and pin needs to be replaced. There are only a couple blank pages left.