From above and below!

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

From above and below!

ID 112015248 ·

Flag This Photo

· Copyright Violation?

With Nancy on the summit.

The time tunnel.

Rate Photo

4.0 from 2 votes

Blair Williams

Jul 21, 2016

“From above and below!”

1 Comment

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!

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.

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.

OW beta for the techniqueless.

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

Good stuff.

"The last pitch".
<br>

<br>
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.

The last pitch!

View from the start of the first pitch.

The view from the big ledge.

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

360 summit.

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!

With Nancy on the summit.

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.

Welcome

Join the Community! It's FREE

Already have an account? Login to close this notice.

Get Started

onX products are built by adventurers, for adventurers. We believe that every adventurer needs to know where to go, to know where they stand, and to be able to share their experiences.
About onX
Careers

iOS App Store

Android App Store

© 2025 onX Maps, Inc. Terms·Privacy