Oct. 3 2020 first ascent of Wham to Zowie via slackline - all natural rig on the tower. The slackline is usually up and walked before first climbing party reaches the top. Some anchor annoyance for climbers at the top but will rarely be re-rigged.

All Locations > Colorado > Alpine Rock > RMNP - Rock > Otis Peak > Zowie

Oct. 3 2020 first ascent of Wham to Zowie via slackline - all natural rig on the tower. The slackline is usually up and walked before first climbing party reaches the top. Some anchor annoyance for climbers at the top but will rarely be re-rigged.

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A route overlay of Zowie.

Looking down the first rap from the summit, showing the bolts for the 2nd rap.

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4.6 from 12 votes

Taylor Vanallen

Oct 14, 2020

“Oct. 3 2020 first ascent of Wham to Zowie via slackline - all natural rig on the tower. The slackline is usually up and walked before first climbing party reaches the top. Some anchor annoyance for climbers at the top but will rarely be re-rigged.”

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Nearby Photos

A route overlay of Zowie.

Oct. 3 2020 first ascent of Wham to Zowie via slackline - all natural rig on the tower. The slackline is usually up and walked before first climbing party reaches the top. Some anchor annoyance for climbers at the top but will rarely be re-rigged.

Looking down the first rap from the summit, showing the bolts for the 2nd rap.

The first 2 rappels. This is taken from the north side of the saddle. From the saddle, descend south (away from where this photo was taken). Zoom in, and you can see the rope on rap 2.

Zowie as seen from the Andrews Glacier trail.

A panorama from the saddle behind Zowie.

Zowie approach view.

I improved the lowest rap station by adding chains to the rope-twisting Metolius rap hangers on 07/12/24.

Looking up the descent gully between raps 2 and 3. The top of Zowie is on the right.

Photo from the 1980s rapping off the summit.

Jen pointing out where the last very hard to spot rap anchors are. Down and to the right of the slinged chockstone.

Can you spot this unusual visitor? A porcupine up near the base...wow. A bit blurry due to low light & zoom.

Location of rap 2.

The rap anchor at the top, NE corner, as of 9/18/2021.
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Anyone knows why they opt to not attach rap rings/quicklinks to the bolts? Seems to me that lots of tats have an even worse visual impact and of course not as safe as steel hardware.

Zowie in the morning sun. It's shade on the solar wall tells you that there's a separate tower.

Closeup of the framed photos at Neptune Mountaineering of the first ascent of Zowie.

Zowie!

Dirk rapping off Zowie, Summer '78.

Zowie from Loch Vale in early morning.

The final pitch... taken by my partner TL.

Zowie!

The first rappel, late afternoon (gentleman's start).

The third rappel.

Rap 3.

Zowie in the early morning light.

Zowie blends into the ridge if you are looking straight at it. As you pass it, the spire sticks out.

Zowie on a beautiful July day. 8 parties summitted on this Sunday!

We came from up there????

Jason Patton high on Zowie. Wham is visible in the background. This was shot on 35mm film.

Mike rapping off the top.

Location of rap 3, the brown Metolius bolts.

In This Photo

Eli Ellis

Boulder, CO

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