Southwest Alcove  Photos:  Recent | Best | Popular Page Views:  2,131. Good page?    Administrators:  Ben Mottinger, Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monomaniac, Tom Erickson Submitted By:  Aaron Martinuzzi on Sep 3, 2009 Make this area a Favorite What's New   Print a Mini-Guide with routes Add Route  Add Photo  Add Comment  Add Event  Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu 84° | 52° 84° | 54° 79° | 52° 73° | 50° 73° | 45°

Mikey.

Description 

The Southwest Alcove is something of a catch-all name for the routes not on the North or West Faces of Crystal Wall. Three of these routes are on the south face of Crystal Wall; they are, from left (first encountered) to right -

County Line
Inyerbuttkwa
Ballet of the Bulge

These routes are all enjoyable and climb solid rock. Britney's Spear presents more of an adventure, involving a scramble-y, low 5th class approach to bolted anchors and an ambitious line up the side of the prominent pillar rising from the mostly broken gully. She's A Daisy lies, technically, uphill from the alcove, and rounds out Crystal Wall's offering of moderate sport climbs.

Getting There 

Follow the main trail to the southwest corner of the North Face and continue up scree, passing Duke's Wall, and turning left into a gully with a clean wall on the left. This south-facing wall is the focal point of the Alcove.

The Classics

Featured Route For Southwest Alcove

Inyerbuttkwa 5.10c  CO : Fort Collins : ... : Southwest Alcove

Start off on the broken, overhanging section in the middle of the alcove face. Then transition to face climbing with large and small crimps. Almost all of the holds are good until the last move. This difficult crux slabby move is devious and insecure. ...[more]   Browse More Classics in CO