Seasonal raptor closure at Monument Area MORE INFO >>>
Rock climbing is not allowed 1/4 mile either side of the Monument due to a nesting pair of Golden Eagles. The birds are using Staender Ridge as a perch therefore it is also within the closure area. The trail which is on the backside of the Monument is open to through traffic, but hiking is not allowed around the cliff faces.
BETA PHOTO: Robert Hecker on pitch one of West Face Variation
Description
This variation on the Pioneer route provides the finest moderate route to the Monkey's Summit. It adds several great pitches and about another 100ft of climbing to the standard route.
Pitch 1: Begin on the right side of the west face of Monkey Face. Begin in a short section of flaring chimney or just to the right of this chimney on a small crack on the face. Move up these harder opening moves onto easier cracks. Continue up through a dihedral with a few bolts and a few mini roofs to a stance and a bolted anchor just below a 4th class ramp. This pitch is fairly long.
Pitch 2: Climb the slotted ramp above to a steep large roof. There are several variations here but the easiest is follow a crack out the right side of the roof. Pull around the roof on the right side and you'll see the anchors.
Pitch 3: Traverse left on a slab protecting in a thin crack on the wall in fron of you. From here head toward the notch formed between the monkey and the main buttress. Continue up the slab on the Pioneer route to the anchor below red rock and the aid pitch.
Rappel as Pioneer route
Protection
All anchors are bolted Double set of Cams to #3 Standard Nuts Many slings + 2 double lengths
By Matt McMurray From: Castle Rock, CO Aug 3, 2006 rating: 5.8 C0
This is TOO GOOD of route to not include the final 1 (or 2) pitches:
Once in the Monkey's mouth after climbing the bolt ladder, you move to the opposite side. Set up an anchor here, and then you crawl out of the Monkey's mouth (dubbed "Panic Point") and onto the 5.7 face above. This pitch is very short, as you climb to the Monkey's nose where there is an anchor. You can link this pitch, and continue past this point to the summit in one push if you like. Great Climbing and exposure!
On pitch 2, take the variation out to the left, the climbing is no harder than the first pitch and gets you to the bolt ladder in one long pitch, eliminating the need for the 3rd pitch travers. Bring long runners to eliminate rope drag and/or use double rope method instead of a single chord. If not rope drag may be a PITA. The climbing on this variation is far better than the regular pitch 2/3 combo.
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