How much rock is there up in the Flatirons?

Seems like a lot….

At least 5 rocks.

Fun fact! There is no rock in the flatirons and what you see is actually an optical illusion caused by the canopy of a species of trees native to Boulder.

When people "solo the Flatirons" they're really saying that they went on a hike to view this unique natural feature; using climbing lingo as a nod to the illusion Boulder has become famous for

Dan Dwrote:

Fun fact! There is no rock in the flatirons and what you see is actually an optical illusion caused by the canopy of a species of trees native to Boulder.

When people "solo the Flatirons" they're really saying that they went on a hike to view this unique natural feature; using climbing lingo as a nod to the illusion Boulder has become famous for

Damn that’s one serious optical illusion!

but more seriously, there’s boulders, cracks, and sick sport lines.  What’s not to like? I feel like it doesn’t get as much hype as it should.  Am I delusional and it’s really just a choss-tical illusion?

There’s no good climbing near Boulder. Your best bet is to go somewhere else. 

The hike is why. You could hike 1.5k vert and 2mi each way to go climb cool steep stuff in the flatirons, or you could hike a lot less and do the same in BoCan or Eldo. Are the routes better in the flatirons? Probably, but it's hard to justify the time+energy for most people. Compare https://www.mountainproject.com/route/105752212/west-overhang with https://www.mountainproject.com/route/105748771/vertigo - the latter has almost 10x the ticks even though the former is probably the cooler line. Why would I hike to https://www.mountainproject.com/route/105753145/chains-of-love when https://www.mountainproject.com/route/105752083/your-mother is roadside?

I just checked and confirmed - there is actually no rock in the Flatirons. 

MattHwrote:

The hike is why. You could hike 1.5k vert and 2mi each way to go climb cool steep stuff in the flatirons, or you could hike a lot less and do the same in BoCan or Eldo. Are the routes better in the flatirons? Probably, but it's hard to justify the time+energy for most people. Compare https://www.mountainproject.com/route/105752212/west-overhang with https://www.mountainproject.com/route/105748771/vertigo - the latter has almost 10x the ticks even though the former is probably the cooler line. Why would I hike to https://www.mountainproject.com/route/105753145/chains-of-love when https://www.mountainproject.com/route/105752083/your-mother is roadside?

This (and concentration) is the main thing I figured when making this post.  I haven’t actually been up there and am wondering if people are hyping the routes to make themselves feel like the hike was worth it.  I doubt it, the rock looks amazing

and honestly, the solitude and ambiance seem worth it to me.  But that’s just me

I believe there are folks who have as a personal goal to climb all the named formations in the Flatirons. Maybe they can chime in about whether there might actually be some rock up there. 

Think about this: if they really are "flat" then how can people "fall"?

John RBwrote:

Think about this: if they really are "flat" then how can people "fall"?

Ask kyle walker