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The Penknife

Colorado > Alpine Rock > RMNP - Rock
Warning Access Issue: Closures DetailsDrop down

Description

The Penknife is the long-forgotten and overlooked spire directly north of the Petit Grepon summit. Its summit is just as high (if not higher) and much less crowded than the Grepon. Although short (2 or 3 pitches), the actual climb is really the final phase of a very long and exciting expedition through Loch Vale (read "getting there").

CAUTION: There is a lot of very loose rock on the Penknife! Check every handhold and especially anchors!

Getting There

There is the "boring way", which consists of climbing the 8 pitches of the Petit Grepon south face, rappelling into the saddle of the two spires, and climbing the Penknife.

Then, there is the "epic route", which consists of hiking, glacier travel, Class 4 scrambling, rappelling, and climbing. I strongly suggest staying overnight at the Andrew's Creek campsite (BC permit required and don't forget bug spray!). Hike up the Andrew's Creek trail to Andrews Glacier. The glacier is very steep in parts, crampons are recommended but not necessary. After the glacier ends, you must scramble up a HUGE talus field at the base of the Sharkstooth. Your objective is to reach the saddle between the Sharkstooth and the Saber, aka "The Gash". The talus field gets cliffed out in spots, so be careful. At the top of the Gash, you can see over the horizon into the "Sky Pond cirque". The Penknife is directly in front of you. Scramble down southeast to a ridge between the Penknife and the Saber. From here, you will need to set a rappel down onto the grassy plateau on the east side of the Petit Grepon. Once on the grassy area, begin technical climbing.

Routes from Left to Right

5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b
 1
Southeast Face
Trad, Alpine 2 pitches
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Southeast Face
 1
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b Trad, Alpine 2 pitches

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

The Penknife (left) from the top of the Gash.
[Hide Photo] The Penknife (left) from the top of the Gash.
The Penknife viewed from the ridge between the Penknife and the Petit Grepon
[Hide Photo] The Penknife viewed from the ridge between the Penknife and the Petit Grepon
The Penknife (front) and the Petit Grepon (rear) viewed from the saddle between the Penknife and the Saber
[Hide Photo] The Penknife (front) and the Petit Grepon (rear) viewed from the saddle between the Penknife and the Saber

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

Mark Oveson
Provo, UT
[Hide Comment] Highly recommended as a descent from the Petit Grepon. From the summit of the Petit, rappel 100' to the north and scramble down the very narrow ridge to the base of the south face of the Penknife. One moderate pitch with a 5.6 move or two gets you to the summit of the Penknife. Rappel to the north from slings to the saddle between Sharkstooth and the Saber. Jul 21, 2014
[Hide Comment] There is new webbing around the summit boulder now, but the whole setup is pretty sketch. Next time I'd rather downclimb.

It is possible to rap East (towards Sabre) to a grassy ledge, then walk South (and down short exposed 4th Class step) to rejoin the bolted Petit raps. If doing so, be extra careful of the mounds of loose boulders on that side of Penknife. Sep 9, 2020
Brian Hansen
West of Boulder, CO
[Hide Comment] The "epic" route description seems inaccurate. To reach the Gash and the Saber/Sharkstooth col, one turns left (south) well before reaching Andrews Glacier. Sep 10, 2020