Looking for the Softest 12s in the Front Range

I think we should start a movement to get rid of the "s" word and replace it with "approachable". Most approachable 12a's in the front range has a nice ring to it doesn't it

Dane Bwrote:

I think we should start a movement to get rid of the "s" word and replace it with "approachable". Most approachable 12a's in the front range has a nice ring to it doesn't it

I definitely workshopped the thread title a bit prior to posting. I wanted the right amount of "click bait", while still maintaining a useful thread title.

Call it the most onsightable 12as.

In additon to the above (Thank You Come Again and Badgersaurus are the weakest contenders on that list BTW), Speed Trap at Wall of Justice.  It's just a (slightly) harder start to Officer Friendly which is an 11.  They're both fun routes.

I think some mega softies are Fire and Ice (Eldo), Sequential (Eldo), Apple Strudel (Eldo), Wet Dream (CCC), Hurricane (Shelf), and Call from Overseas (Shelf) just to name a few. Have fun!

Pick Pocket on Cactus cliff at Shelf Road. Was once rated 5.12 short 5 bolt but more powerful. Across the valley Jewel of the Wild on Gem Wall mellow climbing leads to a pretty easy to decode crux with a couple more bolts of mellow climbing to anchors.

Also, low hanging fruit is still fruit -Mark Hudon

Connor Moynihanwrote:

Call it the most onsightable 12as.

I like it. If this had been the title of the thread we may have missed out on the quality input from our friend Grug. Then where would this thread be! Let's all be real and say that there is a chance that an onsightable 5.12 might also be a bit soft??

Thanks everyone for the input I will keep updating the master list as they come in.

DOFP got downgraded. Not that I'm butthurt or anything.

La MoMofacewrote:

DOFP got downgraded. Not that I'm butthurt or anything.

You should get reel rock to edit in one of those "Where are they now" post-credits captions... something like "6 months after she sent, the route was downgraded to 11d"... can't possibly be a better punch line for what is already a hilariously awesome film.

Franck Veewrote:

From the meme thread:

"It's not soft, it's just great access."

Credit A bloc

Sorry but Colorado isn't that soft. If you want to see soft, go climb in Texas hill country limestone near Austin.  That shit is feather bagged to the max.

Christopher Smithwrote:

Sorry but Colorado isn't that soft. If you want to see soft, go climb in Texas hill country limestone near Austin.  That shit is feather bagged to the max.

There are some pretty soft 12's so much so they should probably be downgraded, on the flip side there are far more sandbagged 12's that probably need to be upgraded. People are way more likely to downgrade than they are to upgrade something. 

Grug Mwrote:

This is really sad. "I'm looking for the easiest way to get a 12 so I can brag to my friends I have climbed a 12". 

That didn't cross my mind at all when I saw this thread.  I thought it could be a good way to redevelop my base strength, mentally and physically.  Climbing is half of what it could be, without goals that you set for yourself.

Mrs. Hen places a peck is 11d on MP right now, but its a fun climb if you are in the area, and is right on the line, I'd say its worth a go. 

Thanks for updating the list!!

I'm inspired and wondering if I should post a thread for softest 11s lol

Really want to get a 11 done for some confidence.... 

I love this post. There are few 12s I’ve got that aren’t on this list. Hmmm, maybe I need a reality check. No shame in chasing something soft. Once I got my first 12 it really opened a lot of doors for what I was willing to climb. Definitely a confidence booster. Just don’t tell a partner you climb 12s then show up and stick clip every bolt (Yes, this happens). Now I’m interested in super soft 13s… lol. 

Corey McDwrote:

I love this post. There are few 12s I’ve got that aren’t on this list. Hmmm, maybe I need a reality check. No shame in chasing something soft. Once I got my first 12 it really opened a lot of doors for what I was willing to climb. Definitely a confidence booster. Just don’t tell a partner you climb 12s then show up and stick clip every bolt (Yes, this happens). Now I’m interested in super soft 13s… lol. 

I don't stick clip the bolts, I bring my rack and aid off it to each bolt. Stick clips are aid. Wait... What.

Silu Cwrote:

Thanks for updating the list!!

I'm inspired and wondering if I should post a thread for softest 11s lol

Really want to get a 11 done for some confidence.... 

If you're a boulderer, Aurora Sports Park at East Colfax. If you're a gym climber, Archangel at Pearly Gates. If you're a regular outdoor climber, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles at High Profile Wall.

edit: holy shit I forgot No Special Talent at Death Valley got upgraded to an 11a somehow. That may be the softest 11a in history

Tal Mwrote:

If you're a boulderer, Aurora Sports Park at East Colfax. If you're a gym climber, Archangel at Pearly Gates. If you're a regular outdoor climber, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles at High Profile Wall.

Awesome!! saved all of them to my list:) Thanks!

Silu Cwrote:

Thanks for updating the list!!

I'm inspired and wondering if I should post a thread for softest 11s lol

Really want to get a 11 done for some confidence.... 

Playing with Fire In Staunton gets my vote for softest 11, but I wouldn't call it accessible since it's a bit of a slog back there   It's a nice pitch marred by a little friable rock in places. 

Classic MP derailing a perfectly good thread. If you are trying to break into 11s go climb them. This thread is for the cool kids trying to climb 12s so we can spray to everyone at the gym about how hard we are.