FM 5.11c
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| Type: | Trad, 1 pitch |
| Consensus: | 5.11c [details] |
| FA: | FA T. Fender & J. Burbank. FFA: R. Briggs & L. Studer, '74. |
| Submitted By: | Andrew Wellman on Nov 1, 2001 |
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At the beginning of the "double dihedral" crux sec...
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Closed due to rockfall MORE INFO >>>
Per Andy Hansen: As of recently the 3rd Buttress on Elephant Buttress is closed until further notice due to rockfall in the area. There are signs posted along the trail warning of a $1,000 fine or a 90-day jail sentence as penalty for trespassing.
This information is a public crowdsourcing effort between the Access Fund,
and Mountain Project.
You should confirm closures, restrictions, and/or related dates.
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Keeping climbing areas open and conserving the climbing environment
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Description This route is on the Third Elephant Buttress, on the north side. To access it walk along the pipe till you reach a gully between the Second and Third Buttresses. Scramble about 20 feet up the gully to the base of the climb. This climb follows a left facing dihedral that begins about 40 feet up. The route is to the right of Left Wing and starts up a short face to an obvious, chalked finger crack. Make some challenging moves to gain the finger crack (5.10ish) and follow the crack a few moves to a great rest below the steep part. You can climb up and left to reach higher and get in toprope pro for the start of the crux sequence, then downclimb and fire straight up from the crack. Pull a couple of awkward, strenuous and pumpy moves, mixed in with a few insecure feeling wide stems through the steep bulge. There are a few fixed pins in this section. Where the bulge enters the dihedral is the crux. From a slopey right facing lieback reach around a corner to your left and gain an elusive finger lock. Getting your feet anywhere and shifting into the dihedral is good and balancy, and will have you in doubt until the end. From here, rest and breath and then follow the dihedral up much easier ground to a nice belay ledge. To gain the top climb a short second pitch (5.6). This route has great pro and excellent, challenging moves. I really recommend it to anyone in the area who feels like climbing something harder than what The Dome has to offer.
Protection Standard trad rack with emphasis on TCUs and small stoppers is good. You don't need anything bigger than a #1 Camalot. Bring some long slings and draws, because there are many fixed pins.
BETA PHOTO: The fixed pin at the start of the double dihedral ...
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Mark Sellers on crux of FM.
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Mark Climbing.
Photo: Dave Fiorucci July 8th, 2005...
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Lower crux.
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Milking a stance before the "business".
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Starting into the stemming crux.
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By Chris Dawson
From: Denver, CO
Nov 5, 2001
| This route is called FM. Probably the best line on the Elephant Buttresses. |
By Leo Paik
Administrator
From: Westminster, Colorado
Mar 7, 2002
| There is a bizarre sequence to the crux where I climbed a full rotation. Anyone else do that, too?
Addendum: Anyone know why it's called FM? |
By Chris Dawson
From: Denver, CO
Mar 11, 2002
| I got out in a really wide stem and was able to switch my hands into the dihedral with no problem. This made getting into the fingerlocks pretty easy, meaning the crux for me was the steeper climbing below. I have really long legs however, so this might not be feasible for everyone. |
By Vernon Stiefel
May 30, 2005
| FM is one of the BEST one pitch trad routes I have climbed. The rock quality and movement are exceptional!! In addition to the pitons, there are two fixed stoppers in the extended "old school" 5.11 crux section. |
By Tom Hanson
Apr 4, 2006
| Oh my gosh, you mean that that fixed stopper that was there back in '82 is still there?
Wow! |
By Chris Sheridan
From: Boulder, CO
Aug 26, 2006
| I went up to FM today with a hammer, chisel, and a selection of pitons with the hopes of clearing away and replacing the piton that broke on me a few weeks ago. As soon as I got a good look at remainder of the pin, I realized there was no hope in replacing it. The pin broke off well inside the crack and reaching it was near impossible, so the hammer and chisel were never put to use. I did notice a good stopper placement a few inches above the pin and a very good cam placement above that, so the route is still well protected through the crux, you'll just have to work a little more for it. |
By Ian
From: Boulder, CO
Aug 30, 2006
| I remember clipping a number of fixed nuts and pitons on this climb a few weeks ago, but there are only the piton below the crux and another fixed nut higher up on the crux now. A green Alien will protect the traverse crux well. |
By Rob Kepley
From: Westminster,CO
Sep 3, 2006
rating: 5.11c
| Hands down 4 STARS! This is an incredible route that eats great pro all the way up. Although, some is quite strenuous to place. Hats off to Briggs for this gem. |
By Thom Engelbach
Mar 12, 2007
| FM means Frequency Modulation. Makes sense to me. |
By Tommey-James
From: Boulder,Colorado
Aug 5, 2011
rating: 5.11c
| This route is GREAT! I got shit on March 11' trying this route and had to bail at the crux. I returned today and got it with one hang at the top of the "first pitch"/at the base of the crux dihedral. Do this route if you are able. The gear is really good the whole way and the climbing is so much fun, finger locks galore. Gear Beta: have a 0.4 camalot pre-drawn for the heart of the crux, you will be stoked. |
By Amir
From: Boulder, CO
Aug 13, 2011
| Fantastic climb. There are 2 fixed nuts and 2 pins left on the route as of today. |
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