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

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

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

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

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George Bell

Apr 15, 2003

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

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Nearby Photos

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).

George Bell finishing off the crux on the last pitch.

Otto's Route pitches.

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

On the summit in March of '03.

Annie coming over the crux of Otto's Route.

The dreaded desert rock lizard enjoying his lunch.

Mike pulling the summit ledge.

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

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

Jason pulling the final overhang.

Rapping off Otto's Route.

Pitch 3 - short one leading to Lunchbox Ledge.

Bayes and Matt starting up the slab of pitch 4.

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

The view from the big ledge.

Icy summit pool.

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

Well that's... creative. You get to clip two of these on pitch 3!

Daniel on P4.

Rock art.

Thanksgiving day, '09.

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

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

360 summit.

The final pitch.

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

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

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

Kit signing with blood. What's with that sticker on the ammo can?

A few of the many holes left by Otto.

Wishing I were in the sun instead of the frigid notch.

First glimpse of The Monument.

Trail in photo, Rockscape.

Charles Vernon in the crux at the top of pitch 2, Otto's Route.

Tim in the tunnel through time.

Summit graffiti.

View from gully of Otto's Route.

Boulder in gully of Otto's Route.

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!

Jeeeeze it felt bigger when I was climbing it!

Yeah, I'm stoked!!

3 Otto's and 120 oz of malt liquor.

Another shot of somebody (in this case, my husband) sitting on top of Otto's route. He couldn't find any pro below the pitons on his way up. Exciting lead!

Daniel topping out the summit boulder problem.

Dan Mottinger finishing the overhanging and exposed pitch--quite a rush.

Tim on the final pitch.

Winter ascent.

Charles Vernon looks out from the summit of Independence Monument after finishing Otto's Route.

Charles Vernon at the crux, Otto's Route.

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

A photo of one or both of our beloved founders (Mike and/or Ben...it's been so long I forgot) at the top of Otto's Route circa 2001, I think.

Independence from a distance.

That black tri-cam might slow him down.

the sunny side (unfortunately not where Otto's route is)

Sara on the second to last pitch of Otto's route.

Daniel on P3.