Carl Pelletier tags the top of Otto's Route, Independence Monument.

All Locations > Colorado > Grand Junction… > Colorado Nation… > Independence Mo… > Otto's Route (5.8+ 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c)

Carl Pelletier tags the top of Otto's Route, Independence Monument.

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Icy summit pool.

The lower part of Otto's Route. Green X's mark fixed anchors at the top of the first two pitches.

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4.2 from 5 votes

Kurt Johnson

Mar 25, 2008

“Carl Pelletier tags the top of Otto's Route, Independence Monument.”

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Nearby Photos

A route overlay for Otto's Route.

Sir Chris Bonington and Paul Ross.... A long way from Cumbria.

Matt and Bayes on the summit. First desert tower for this little 4-year old!

Otto's Route pitches.

George Bell finishing off the crux on the last pitch.

Annie coming over the crux of Otto's Route.

Bayes getting to "lead" the little summit "pitch" after pitch 4.

Peter and Patty marrying at the top of Independence Monument after climbing Otto's Route on May 8, 2007.

You think you're tough. Here's Zane, age 5 or 6, finishing up the final overhang (with a little aid).

The dreaded desert rock lizard enjoying his lunch.

On the summit in March of '03.

Mike pulling the summit ledge.

Rapping off Otto's Route.

The final pitch.

Jason Rite pulling the final overhang.

Well that's... creative. You get to clip two of these on pitch 3!

Pitch 3 - short one leading to Lunchbox Ledge.

OW beta for the techniqueless.

The final pitch.

Icy summit pool.

Carl Pelletier tags the top of Otto's Route, Independence Monument.

The lower part of Otto's Route. Green X's mark fixed anchors at the top of the first two pitches.

Taken from the Saddlehorn CG area. You won't see sunshine on this route until pitch 4. 4/13/2002

The last pitch!

"The last pitch".
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Photo by Mike Schneiter.

Good stuff.

The view from the big ledge.

360 summit.

View from the start of the first pitch.

Independence Monument from the trail in to Otto's Route.

Brian throws the totally unnecessary (but fun!) dyno at the crux of pitch 4.

With Nancy on the summit.

Rock art.

Jekich rapping off Otto's to Lunchbox Ledge. (70m rope)

Bayes and Matt starting up the slab of pitch 4.

Rapping down the Monument--what red soil! Crazy!

From above and below!

Daniel on P4.

The time tunnel.

Would whip.

Thanksgiving day, '09.

Dean is following the crux summit pitch on Otto's route. Note the massive drilled holes for the pipes.

Kit signing with blood. What's with that sticker on the ammo can?

Bob finishing the last pitch. Two drilled pockets can easily be seen in the left hand side of the picture. The pockets greatly reduce the difficulty of the climbing.

Winter ascent.

Bayes and Matt at Lunch Box Ledge while I lead pitch 4.

Lee Rittenmeyer atop pitch 1.

That black tri-cam might slow him down.

Jonah Wilkey on the third pitch.

Phil Sabet, between smokes.

George Wilkey, Steven Corr, Jonah Wilkey on the summit.

Fish for scale.

Charlie getting ready to sent the last pitch (run out and in an epic windstorm but still smiling).

Jonah Wilkey and Steven Corr walkin' through the time tunnel.

Warren beginning the crux of pitch 2.

Logan Berndt coming up pitch 3.

Otto's steps are visible on the last pitch.

Tim on the final pitch.

2nd time climbing Otto's Route. Very fun! Made it to anchors but chose not to get on top due to some super strong winds.

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