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

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

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

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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).

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4.9 from 15 votes

Paul Ross

Oct 27, 2014

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

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Nearby Photos

A route overlay for Otto's Route.

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

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

George Bell finishing off the crux on the last pitch.

Otto's Route pitches.

Annie coming over the crux of Otto's Route.

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

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

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.

The final pitch.

Icy summit pool.

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

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

"The last pitch".
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Photo by Mike Schneiter.

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

OW beta for the techniqueless.

Good stuff.

The last pitch!

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

View from the start of the first pitch.

360 summit.

The view from the big ledge.

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

Bayes and Matt starting up the slab of pitch 4.

With Nancy on the summit.

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

From above and below!

The time tunnel.

Daniel on P4.

Rock art.

Thanksgiving day, '09.

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

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

Would whip.

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.

Lee Rittenmeyer atop pitch 1.

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

Winter ascent.

That black tri-cam might slow him down.

Jonah Wilkey on the third pitch.

Ben Gnorga leading pitch 5 to the summit. taken 4/13/2002

Boulder in gully of Otto's Route.

Lee starting pitch 2.

Rosemary Jennings on the final pitch.

Heading to the summit.

Beautiful shot of the sun behind Independence Monument.

Independence from a distance.

First glimpse of The Monument.

Here is pitch 1 of Otto's route. My first gear lead ever! in 1997!!

Trail in photo, Rockscape.

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