The South Slabs  Photos:  Recent | Best | Popular Lat, Long:  40.7143, -105.2934 Map Page Views:  4,879. 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

The South Slabs.

Description 

As one approaches Greyrock on the Summit Trail, the South Slabs are the first area to come into view, appearing as a large, smooth section of rock amidst more broken areas. Two tiers of slabs offer fun climbing, both bolt- and gear-protected. Be wary on the slab routes, as some are 'traditionally bolted,' and will provide an experience quite different from sport climbing elsewhere in the Poudre Canyon.

Fun routes on solid granite ranging from 5.5 to 5.12 ascend this centerpiece of Greyrock climbing.

Per lubbo: nearly all the bolts appear to have been chopped.

Getting There 

Hike the Greyrock Summit trail for a stiff 2.5 miles to its intersection with the Meadows trail near a bench, where two rock outcroppings are visible to the north. Leave the trail and pass between these, continuing on as the crow flies to the base of the South Slab. A natural line of passage will likely deposit you directly beneath the lowest part of the slab, near Two Minds Meet and Aunt Edna's Costume Jewelry.

One exception to this entry is Go Spuds Go, which in fact ascends a boulder located near the southernmost tip of the Greyrock massif. Anyone making the hike to seek out this offwidth problem shouldn't have much trouble sighting the wide, overhanging crack. It's visible to the north from the summit trail a short half-mile or so from the bench.

Descent 

A 70 meter rope is highly recommended for rappelling off routes on the Lower Tier of the South Slabs - be careful, however - many of these routes are ~125 feet long or slightly more, and will require a bit of downclimbing at the end of your rappel. Utilizing the walk-off gully to climber's left (skiier's right) is recommended.

For Upper Tier routes ending at anchors, a 60 meter rope is generally sufficient. Some lines can naturally be extended into trips up to the top of Greyrock, albeit through less consistent terrain.

The Classics

Featured Route For The South Slabs

Go Spuds Go 5.12a/b  CO : Fort Collins : ... : The South Slabs

One of Craig Leubben's favorite offwidths! It's only about 15' of climbing to the crux pivot at the lip, but continue climbing the next 20' to a tree. Walk off.Approach by the Grey Rock summit trail. Start looking towards Grey Rock about 5 minutes past the meadow and you will see the steeply angled off-width boulder to the left up the slope. It takes about 1 hour to reach Go Spuds Go from the parking lot....[more]   Browse More Classics in CO