The BLM office in Monticello has asked the Friends of Indian Creek to remind climbers that there is a 14-day limit on camping on BLM Land. The F.O.I.C. understands that there is a bit of a history of staying in the Creek for far longer, but heavy climber-traffic in the area has made the BLM take notice of this tradition. Be aware that overstaying the 14-day limit makes climbers look as if we feel the rules don't apply to us and thus has an effect on long-term access. Moving your campsite throughout the season, or perhaps finding a site outside the main Indian Creek area, will not only help smooth relations with the BLM, but will also keep you from possibly getting hit with a fine.
Chris Parks, a little Higher on "Evening Ecstacy" ...
Description
An unreadable plaque lies at the base of this climb because someone decided to scratch out the name and over-write it with the words "Bad Bolt." THe bottom bolt of the anchor is indeed bad (refer to note on Protection) and should probably be replaced with a 1/2" in the same hole. The problem with this scribble job is that all you can read is gibbersh, so you don't know he name of the route or that there is a bad bolt until you come down and having already learned that, can decipher the plaque. At the far left side of the lighter wall just left of Tofu Crack there are 3 climbs, Mouse Meat, a 140' tall 5.10+ crack route, then an unnamed 5.10 left-facing Flake, then this route, which ascends a crack system just at the left edge of the wall. Start up in one crack and just when it runs out, move left 5' into a different crack. The transition is the crux and can be protected well on a few cams on either side.
This is a reasonable warm-up route for the wall but is not typical of indian creek- the rock is a little softer and lighter and there are more holds and less pure crack climbing.
Location
This climb is the last climb left of Tofu Crack in the lighter-colored wall, just before turning left around the corner past a tree to the base of the huge, left-facing "Two Timer" dihedral.
Protection
A set of cams to hand-sized with a few large nuts or extra large finger sizes. (EDIT): The once-loose lower bolt, (owing to its poor placement) on this anchor has reportedly been repaired and beefed up.
I found this route to be a little delicate and not your standard IC crack climb. This was an entertaining route that I suffered on due to the small jams. I made it to the anchors on this with my mantra-" I am not going to hang on a 5.9" Fun route!
'Evening Ecstasy' was first climbed by Clint Dillard in 2004 or so. I believe Clint, or his partner, has on at least one occasion called up a first ascentionist to harangue him about poor bolt placement, so perhaps you may feel more justified in addressing your comments directly. He's sorta got it coming, I guess.
RSS Feed
Slideshow
