View from the start of the first pitch.

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

View from the start of the first pitch.

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360 summit.

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

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4.3 from 3 votes

Matt Aschmann

Jun 25, 2017

“View from the start of the first pitch.”

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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.

The final pitch.

Icy summit pool.

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

OW beta for the techniqueless.

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!

Good stuff.

"The last pitch".
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Photo by Mike Schneiter.

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.

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.

Rock art.

Thanksgiving day, '09.

The time tunnel.

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.

Winter ascent.

Lee Rittenmeyer atop pitch 1.

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

That black tri-cam might slow him down.

Jonah Wilkey on the third pitch.

Logan Berndt coming up pitch 3.

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.

Otto has diminished in size since first setting up his route, but he still hangs out at the summit in his comfy ammunition box.

Rappeling from the summit of Independence Monument to the second belay of Otto's Route.

Hero shot of final crux move. 4th pitch

View from gully of Otto's Route.

Otto's steps are visible on the last 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.

My dad in the Time Tunnel!

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