Descent route on northwest side of Notchtop. Can be exposed and scary. Avoid the temptation to rappel.

All Locations > Colorado > Alpine Rock > RMNP - Rock > Notchtop > Spiral Route (5.4 4a 12 IV 10 VD 3c)

Descent route on northwest side of Notchtop. Can be exposed and scary. Avoid the temptation to rappel.

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Three options above the East Meadow (we did the 5.4 variation I indicated). Photo taken June 25, 2006. Sorry for the crappy stitch job.

The notch, as seen from the grassy ledge below.<br>
<br>
I tried the right side, but as I got higher, the left side looked easier.

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4.0 from 2 votes

Rodney Ley 1

Jul 19, 2014

“Descent route on northwest side of Notchtop. Can be exposed and scary. Avoid the temptation to rappel.”

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Three options above the East Meadow (we did the 5.4 variation I indicated). Photo taken June 25, 2006. Sorry for the crappy stitch job.

Descent route on northwest side of Notchtop. Can be exposed and scary. Avoid the temptation to rappel.

The notch, as seen from the grassy ledge below.<br>
<br>
I tried the right side, but as I got higher, the left side looked easier.

The start of the Spiral Route. The two sheep gave me a clue. From the West gully, look for this break in the wall. Start here, and work your way up and right in a spiral-like manner.

Kevin leading an icy route

Molly on the descent. I think this is where many people go wrong on the descent. When you are standing on the ledge that Molly is on, it looks improbable to keep traversing to where the pic was taken from. Furthermore, if you look down the gully from the ledge you see a whole nest of rap slings tempting you to bail that way. RESIST!! The traverse turns out to be exposed 4th class on good rock.

Jim and daughter Grace with the Spiral Route behind (8/18/07 7:30 AM)

The crew at the base of Notchtop.

Traversing off the west side of Notchtop. Paul is leading out the first traversing pitch after having come over the summit of Notchtop. 9-22-07.

Jeff trying to downclimb a sketchy 4th class section to gain the gully.

Grace on summit of Notchtop (8/18/07 3:00 PM)

Craig Blankenship taken by Kevin Lorda in the descent col. Notice the icicles. The ice made for an interesting rock climb.

From the base.

If one starts well below the large terrace, you <br>
can add two nice 5.4 pitches to the one <br>
before the grassy traverse.

The view on an icy September day.

Heading up in March, 2016.

Pitch one right after dawn on the Spiral Route on Notchtop.

The mountain iced up made for interesting rock climbing.

Hiking out after the Spriral Route on Notchtop in RMNP.

Notchtop in October.

Cruising along a ridge trying to find the way out.<br>

Notchtop.

Relaxing at its finest on the East Meadow.

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