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Looking for an epic route near Vail

Original Post
Joe Baker · · Colorado Springs, CO · Joined Jun 2018 · Points: 20

I want to find a classic multi pitch trad route within an hour of Vail.  Something easy between 5.2 and 5.7.  A full day of it if possible.  More than four pitches if possible.  I want to take a friend who is a beginner.

Brandon Ribblett · · The road · Joined Mar 2016 · Points: 80

Maybe not too epic but still super fun is royal flush sport 5.9 1500 ft or crown royal is trad 5.9 and the same length. both located in frisco wlth a mellow walk off.

Rando Calrissian · · Denver · Joined Apr 2016 · Points: 45

Second royal flush. Its a 5.9 but theres only one pitch of 9 and one/twoish of 8, all of the holds are there and if you just keep working your feet up the route isn't that difficult. Did it two years ago and got stuck behind this turd ferguson trio of idiots that brought their friend who had NEVER CLIMBED BEFORE! Poor fella was scared out of his wits, I still remember his face before taking up the 5.9 pitch with this white knuckle grip on the rope before he left the belay station. Ghosts aren't that pale.

All belays are on pretty big ledges. Bring a handful of alpine draws in addition to your shorty short sporty sports, they are super helpful on the opening slabs. It was bolted for a 30m rope so bring a 70m and combine as many pitches as you can, usually 2-3 pitches then anchor in. No need to rap, hike off the top, its a well travelled trail. 

Evan C · · Chatty Fatty · Joined Oct 2015 · Points: 218
https://www.mountainproject.com/route/105751939/inwood-arete

Only suggesting it because It would make for a long, epic day and the climbing stays easy. I wouldn't take a beginner up it unless they're already in solid 14er shape. It's more hiking than climbing, but it's got a couple pitches of technical stuff plus a few optional 5.6ish towers..we did it ropeless though, so not sure how anchor building would go for you. Route finding is the most interesting part of the climbing.
curt86iroc · · Lakewood, CO · Joined Dec 2014 · Points: 274

There is also an upper pitch variation on royal flush that goes 5.9+ or 5.10. well worth the lower pitches just for this one!

Mike Mooney · · Silverthorne, CO · Joined Mar 2006 · Points: 0

5.7 5.9 close enough 

Rando Calrissian · · Denver · Joined Apr 2016 · Points: 45
Mike Mooney wrote: 5.7 5.9 close enough 

Yeah just two grades. I can climb v8 now. And also subsequently v10 because its just two grades away from that one :P I do get what you are saying though. I guess we focused on the "epic" and fun part of it and thought well the 5.9 is ok for a newish climber

jason.cre · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Aug 2014 · Points: 10

The upper headwall on royal flush is fun, but holy shit the bottom pitches are long and awful.  Its like 300 feet  of good climbing and 1200 feet of bleghhhh. And then the walk off is really long.

Marc801 C · · Sandy, Utah · Joined Feb 2014 · Points: 65
Rando Calrissian wrote: I guess we focused on the "epic" and fun part of it and thought well the 5.9 is ok for a newish climber

And seems that everyone forgot the OP’s range of 5.2 - 5.7, so two grades above the top end and 1500’ of climbing appears unreasonable unless the op wants to get his partner to hate climbing. 

curt86iroc · · Lakewood, CO · Joined Dec 2014 · Points: 274
Marc801 C wrote:

And seems that everyone forgot the OP’s range of 5.2 - 5.7, so two grades above the top end and 1500’ of climbing appears unreasonable unless the op wants to get his partner to hate climbing. 

the reality is, there are only 1 or 2 pitches on royal flush that are actually at that grade.  all of the climbing below the headwall is 5.5-5.6

Eric and Lucie · · Boulder, CO · Joined Oct 2004 · Points: 140

He also said "trad"... Royal Flush is a sport climb...

Adam bloc · · San Golderino, Calirado · Joined Dec 2012 · Points: 2,184

Lone eagle Peak could be the moderate adventure you seek but the drive is ~1.5

jason.cre · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Aug 2014 · Points: 10
Eric and Lucie wrote: He also said "trad"... Royal Flush is a sport climb...

He also asked for something that doesnt exist so people gave recommendations.  And there are routes to plug gear on the headwall. 

Eric and Lucie · · Boulder, CO · Joined Oct 2004 · Points: 140

Independence Pass has some good stuff.  More like 90 minutes from Vail, but there's multi-pitch trad.   https://www.mountainproject.com/area/105744331/independence-pass 

Parker Wrozek · · Denver, CO · Joined Mar 2012 · Points: 86

Check out the nose route on monitor rock (near twin lakes). Goes at 5.6, 5 pitches. good for a beginner.

Tim FromMaine · · Maine->Colorado · Joined Jul 2009 · Points: 11

+1 for Indy Pass. Although you won't find much beyond two pitches. Take them up The Nose of Monitor Rock. Closer to Vail than most Indy Pass Crags.  If they do well on the Nose you've got other climbs like Rainbow Route and Trooper Traverse as well as tons of cragging in the area. They may not qualify as Epic but they're great moderates.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Colorado
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