Pin Route 5.5
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Near the top of second pitch, Pin Route.
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Season raptor closures MORE INFO >>>
The following areas are closed from March 1-July 31 or until further notice:
Twin Owls, Rock One, Batman Rock, Batman Pinnacle, Sheep Mountain, Thunder Buttress, The Parish, Lightning Rock and Checkerboard Rock are currently closed. The closures include the named rock formations and the areas extending 100 yards surrounding the base of the formation. This includes all climbing routes, outcroppings, cliffs, faces, ascent and descent routes and climber's access trails to the formation.
Alligator Rock is also closed.
www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/area_closures.htm
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 The Pin Route start at the dirty chimney on the north side of Twin Owls. You will see a blocky ramp that traverses to the right. Climb the chimney to the ramp and start the traverse. Keep going past a pin until you run to a 2 pin belay. You can go straight up from here or do a variation Sky Route which keeps traversing right past a pin until you must go straight up a right-facing dihedral for 1 to 2 more pitches. Either way, the climbing is VERY exposed and is an unbelievable solo and a superb trad route for the adventurous beginner. Descend via through a tight slot to the Bowels of the Owls.
Addendum: There is a somewhat popular variation of P2 called Sky Route, 5.3, PG-13. From the P1 belay, you continue up the right-angling ramp about 20 ft to where you can move left around a flake. There is an optional belay. You can continue on fun, exposed, longer-reach flakes & scoops, pulling to the top. 140 feet if skipping the optional belay.
Protection Stoppers and a set of cams to probably 4" if wanting to lead it safely through the chimney.
BETA PHOTO: The 2nd pitch, Sky Route variation.
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Jeff Gunter enjoying Sky Route. Photo taken from t...
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Jeff Gunter starting up P1. '05.
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View of the Pin Route/Sky Route.
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2nd pitch Sky Route.
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Scott & Andrea on the Sky Route.
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BETA PHOTO: Hopefully, this helps with the lines on the NW fac...
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BETA PHOTO: New sling (black) and stainless steel quick-link a...
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By Jim McGuire
Sep 25, 2003
| This is a nice climb for its grade. It's possible to access the traverse ledge more directly, avoiding the dirty chimney. The variation which continues the traverse - Sky Route- is easier but more exposed as it continues out to the west edge and gives a more open view of the valley below. |
By Gary Schmidt
From: Boulder, CO
Aug 7, 2004
| Did this route today and was a nice way to reach the actual summit of the Owls after doing the Organ Pipes. (Easily reached by traversing left for about 150 yards along the Roosting Ramp). A good route, but even though some guide books call it a good beginner route, not sure I would bring too green a novice up here. There are some exposed traverses on both pitches which are hard to protect. |
By Leo Paik
Administrator
From: Westminster, Colorado
Jan 23, 2005
| This route collects snow on cooler, snowier days where more S-facing routes might not. Probably NW facing.
Addendum: Should we have a separate entry for the Sky Route? It has a distinct 2nd pitch. |
By Umph!
Feb 24, 2007
| Sky Top (5.8) is a nice link up to Pin or Sky Way. In the overview picture it's the right-leaning dihedral below the Pin/Way intersection. It's fun 5.8 that traverses up and left into the dihedral and then pulls up to meet with Pin. This variation is seldom done. (Some "guide" up there asked me, "what the hell are you on?"). I climbed it a few years back and it was fairly dirty, but it wasn't a factor for the enjoyment or climbability. |
By Chris Zeller
From: Boulder, CO
Aug 2, 2009
rating: 5.4
| Led this climb today. This is an excellent route--one of the best routes at this grade. The climbing is no harder than 5.4 as in the guide. Protection is good all around. Bring large cams to protect the offwidth crack on the second pitch. It protects well.
There is only one pin at the first belay not two. This confused us a bit given the description but the crack is obvious. There is an old scar so maybe the second pin fell out.
There is a great rap station (2 slings + 2 biners) hiding under a large block descender's right and just before the cave on the Bowels of the Owls decent. This is much easier than spelunking in the cave. 50 m rope is fine. |
By Aaron Stokes
From: Colorado
Oct 4, 2009
| Was up on the Pin Route yesterday (October 3, 2009) and added a new black sling and stainless steel quick-link to the chock-stone rap that descends into what I'm thinking is the Bowels of the Owls gully. Posted a beta-photo of new sling and chockstone. There is now an olive drab sling of unknown age, an old biner, and the new black sling/ss quick-link in place. Great route! |
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