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Hiatus

5.7+, Trad, 600 ft (182 m), 3 pitches, Grade II,  Avg: 3 from 158 votes
FA: unknown
Colorado > Estes Park Valley > Lumpy Ridge > Left Book
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Description

A superb, moderate route, as good as White Whale. Like that route it is actually on the Left Book, which, although it is part of the Book, requires you to follow the turnoff for the Bookmark (situated in front of the Book) and scramble around west of that rock to the base of the slabby Left Book, which could perhaps even more accurately be termed the "west Book". Confused? If not, you might yet have trouble finding the exact line of the route. The belays are all shared with White Whale, hence the first pitch heads up to a small tree.

P1-Start right of the continuous crack of White Whale, directly below a roof band. climb up a thin dead end crack, make some moves up and left across the slab (sparse pro), go around the left end of the roof, and belay at the tree.

P2-go right from the tree to an obvious pillar with a wide crack that tapers to nothing. When that ends, head up and left to make a belay (full rope-length).

P3-climb a short crack, then traverse off left, or head straight up nebulous 5.7 terrain to the walk-off ledge (avoiding at all costs a water-worn groove which appears easier than it is).

P4-addendum: Move right, and continue up 5.9 to a topless tree to a small, triangular roof.

Protection

Standard rack; the second pitch has an easy wide crack for which one bigger piece such as a #4 Friend might be nice. Make sure you have at least a normal allowance of small gear.

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

Red variation described below in my comments.
[Hide Photo] Red variation described below in my comments.
The long second pitch.
[Hide Photo] The long second pitch.
The line with options.
[Hide Photo] The line with options.
"A bit slabby".
[Hide Photo] "A bit slabby".
Traversing below the roof on the first pitch.
[Hide Photo] Traversing below the roof on the first pitch.
P3 near topping out, guess it's really the Dog finish?
[Hide Photo] P3 near topping out, guess it's really the Dog finish?
P2: Kody, where you have to trust feet and look around a little. Picture makes the rock look more vertical than it is. He's standing vertical.
[Hide Photo] P2: Kody, where you have to trust feet and look around a little. Picture makes the rock look more vertical than it is. He's standing vertical.
P2 in its entirety from second belay. Had big cams for the flake, so used them. Double rope technique is very helpful for a climb like this! Takes a little more management effort at belays, but once climbing, it is much nicer, IMO.
[Hide Photo] P2 in its entirety from second belay. Had big cams for the flake, so used them. Double rope technique is very helpful for a climb like this! Takes a little more management effort at belays, but onc…
Coming up P-3 of Hiatus.
[Hide Photo] Coming up P-3 of Hiatus.
Lot's of "hands free" stances on the second pitch.
[Hide Photo] Lot's of "hands free" stances on the second pitch.
P3: Kody pulling up on the knob above the optional walk-off ledge. Rope line is very climbable at 7+. Pro attached to red sling is on the WW line.
[Hide Photo] P3: Kody pulling up on the knob above the optional walk-off ledge. Rope line is very climbable at 7+. Pro attached to red sling is on the WW line.
Me starting the route... the dreaded roof can be seen in the distance.
[Hide Photo] Me starting the route... the dreaded roof can be seen in the distance.

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

Leo Paik
Westminster, Colorado
  5.7+
[Hide Comment] Agreed that this is a great route. However, it's harder than White Whale despite sharing belays. The 1st pitch has 2 solid cruxes for a 5.7 leader. The P1 variation going straight over the roof is very intimidating for the 5.8 described Rossiter's guide. Big hexes are very useful for the 1st belay because you might like some bigger cams for the start of the 2nd pitch. A #4 Camalot is oh so nice. Definitely worth the effort. Mar 13, 2002
Leo Paik
Westminster, Colorado
  5.7+
[Hide Comment] A few disadvantages to slinging the tree: 1) you are in the way for those doing White Whale, 2) it is less comfortable to belay there, 3) you'd have to depend upon a tree - known to be less than reliable over the years, 4) it lengthens 2nd pitch (can be a rope stretcher with a 50m). Plus, a big hex isn't that heavy. Mar 14, 2002
Gary Schmidt
Boulder, CO
[Hide Comment] The fact that White Whale and this climb have the same rating points to the nebulous nature of ratings. This climb imho is significantly harder along with some not so easy runouts. Protecting the second pitch (which is great climbing, the best part of the climb) undercling crack is a bit problematic, even too big for a 4 Camalot until you are a significant way above a nasty ledge. It begins to take good pro about half way up but then it fades away to nothing and again you are forced to run it out. Good climbing but not for the faint of heart. Jun 19, 2005
Bill Morris
[Hide Comment] I agree with Leo. Don't sling the tree for your first belay fellas. Speaking from a guide's point of view (used to guide this route) and 29 years of climbing, you'll only plug up the way for guys coming up White Whale. Two parties can easliy fit on this ledge simultaneously without gettin' in each others' way if you move your belay to below the start of the dihedral. Jun 26, 2005
craggin carl
[Hide Comment] Climbed this again today, Pitch one and two can run with a little simul climbing,

Also found a stopper on P2 at the belay, post to identify and I will get it back to you. Aug 2, 2005
Charles Danforth
L'ville, CO
 
[Hide Comment] Nice route. We belayed from the spatious ledge above the White Whale tree, then headed up the dihedral (great!). Instead of heading left under the roof and joining White Whale, we went right and joined up with what turns out to be Beelzebub. Belay at the right edge of the "second" of two eyebrows/roofs in a precarious stance, then pull the roof (crux) and wander up 40' of 5.8s slab to Paperback Ledge. Walk off. If you've already done White Whale, this is a different, significantly harder variation well worth your time. The second pitch is fantastic! May 22, 2006
AKIRA KENNETT
LOS ANGELES, CA
[Hide Comment] What is the approach for this climb like? Sep 13, 2007
David HH
CR, CO
[Hide Comment] From the new parking lot, the approach is close to 2 miles. The first 1.5 miles are extremely enjoyable and pretty much rolling and the last 0.5 mile is uphill. Elevation is probably around 9500' or so this could make things more difficult if you are not used to it. Usually takes me between 30-40 minutes. Sep 14, 2007
tooTALLtim
Vanlife
 
[Hide Comment] Better P2 than White Whale, no question. May 22, 2008
Steve Knapp
Highlands Ranch, CO
  5.7+ PG13
[Hide Comment] This is a sweet route, our second at Lumpy. We only did two pitches and walked off. P1 seems the most spicy and is a bit run out. The crack disappears and you must make some moves on the face below the roof. Traversing below the roof is tough too with questionable gear. P2 is super classic and a lot of fun. Nice layback on the dihedral allowing you to weight the feet. When the crack disappears up high you can stem out to another crack to the left. I really loved P2. Sep 7, 2008
Theo Barker
Loveland, CO
  5.7+
[Hide Comment] Did this today with my son. Very enjoyable this time. Didn't see another soul from the time we left the BC trail, 'til we were back at the parking lot.

Used double ropes. Definitely helped with the route wandering at times. I.e. when passing the White Whale belay tree, just clipped one rope to it and had the other hanging free, clipped to pro that was further down and climbers right. Didn't quite feel up to exploring around the roof to the right. Next time...

P3, Left the belay to the left, but then stepped back to the right to where Leo shows, and pulled the knob and horizontal cracks to the right of the WW P3. Added a little more face work to the climb. Nice for a change. Sep 7, 2008
Tim Stich
Colorado Springs, Colorado
  5.7+
[Hide Comment] The pitch 2 crack gets smaller the deeper you put the cam into it, so you can place a #3 low and then a #4 all within 20 ft. of the ledge. It's a stretch to reach in and get them, but it's not tight.

The variation Roland and I did went up this crack until you get to the top of the column. Move right instead of left and you are looking at a small roof/flake with a hand-sized crack running through it. Plug a cam and match hands right of the crack and climb up (5.8). There is a wide crack that flares out above that fits a #3, #2, and down at the bottom a .5. The seat makes a great belay and gives a great view of the Bookend. This is right above the Beelzebub dihedral.

Pitch 3 then goes up left in the seam just right of the small roof with a tiny tree on top of it. Place two cams in this crack and run out easy terrain to another set of cracks before the large tree and the descent ledge. It's easy to get onto hard ground, so pick your path. Sep 14, 2008
Cale Farnham
Loveland, CO
[Hide Comment] Stellar climb and the moves were awesome! Fell on the way down, kinda loose and slippery but overall great line! Sep 29, 2008
Debbie Vischer
Loveland
 
[Hide Comment] Super fun route. Great moves and nice variation for a 5.7+. We missed the short (?) third pitch and ran out P2 for a full 60M rope length, ending at a small ledge next to the walk-off. Oct 31, 2008
Andy Novak
Bailey, CO
5.7+
[Hide Comment] P2 features lots of classic Lumpy slab footwork. Easy, but you better have seasoned calves to deal with the pump. And I think the pro up top when leaving the corner is..tricky. Have your .7+ head on. Great route and a great intro to the world of Lumpy Ridge.

5.7c. Jan 20, 2009
Scott Matz
Loveland, CO
[Hide Comment] What a classic route. I would say the 1st pitch is the crux, but the second is the best lieback crack around. I like the #3 as my 1st piece, in the dyhedral, and followed by a #4, or run in out to thinner pro 20 ft up. but don't take a fall on the ledge. 4 stars. Jun 1, 2009
Wade Frank
Littleton, CO
[Hide Comment] I enjoyed this climb a lot more than White Whale which was also a great climb. Aug 24, 2009
Amos Patrick
Estes Park
  5.7+
[Hide Comment] Posted a TR here supertopo.com/Trip-Report/2… Oct 1, 2009
Scott McMahon
Boulder, CO
  5.7+ R
[Hide Comment] Moves can be a bit thin in places. I wouldn't jump on this unless you don't mind run out friction moves.

BETA BELOW!!!

To sew it up bring at least 3 big pieces (#3.5, #4.5, #5 old Camalot or the corresponding new C4s) for the fat crack. I'd recommend only cams since you're placing at your ankles. Sliding didn't work as well as I hoped and you're directly above a ledge. Try to get gear in early, when it's gone it's gone. Jul 17, 2010
Jay Eggleston
Denver
  5.7
[Hide Comment] One #4 Camalot is adequate for the second pitch. The old (pre C4) #4 fits better than the new ones. I know because I had both but only placed one. Aug 11, 2010
ozman
CO / NM
[Hide Comment] Great route. We climbed on the 4th of July weekend, so it was packed. We climbed Hiatus when White Whale was busy, then some other 3 pitch crack system to the left of the Whale, and yet another 3 pitch line after that on the left in a right-facing corner which was awesome. It was crowded, but if you're willing to try another line, the wall is yours. First time at Lumpy, but definitely not my last. Great time/weather/scenery. Jul 7, 2011
Sean Haney
  5.6
[Hide Comment] The runout on P1 isn't bad as others suggest. Maybe 10ft between pieces at one point, but nothing to hit if you fall. Big cams are definitely recommended for P2, although it felt like you could almost walk up the lieback with no hands. Didn't get to the 3rd pitch since we thought we were coming back to do White Whale. The first two pitches felt 2-3 full grades easier than Melvin's Wheel just down the hill. Nov 13, 2011
Pete eye
Fort Collins, CO
  5.7
[Hide Comment] If you look straight up when on the walk off ledge, there is a fun line. Go through/up and to the left of the black streak to a roof that you top out to easy terrain. It is not named in Gillett guide, but it's identified. It was pretty fun (and a little weird) but clearly doesn't get any traffic, and it is about 5.7 or so terrain I think. Wondering about the history, if anyone knows? Aug 11, 2012
Daniel Joder
Barcelona, ES
[Hide Comment] My partner led P2 and never placed the #4 boat anchor we hauled up there even though he tried several times. It would have been pretty tipped out. A #5 bigger boat anchor would have been better. He eventually got into #3 territory pretty quickly, though. This P2 is an amazing pitch--be prepared to work those little nubbins and smears! Sep 4, 2017
Ryan Prestangen
  5.7+
[Hide Comment] Fantastic route! Climbed this instead of White Whale with no regrets. P1 is not too runout, awesome climbing. P2 is unprotectable for the first 20 feet without a #4; however, it is a comfortable layback until the crack thins. Rope drag was bad on P2 when placing a piece at the top of the initial crack. P3 going straight up is as runout as the P1 runout and slightly more exposed. We did the P4 recommended by Pete eye, up and to the left from the walk-off ledge; definitely a little weird, but just keep moving left. 5.7 and the steep section is great. Well worth doing, and there is currently a double-slung cord anchor with a quicklink on top for the rappel back down. Jun 16, 2019