PRINT: Rock Climb Let it Vee, Eldorado Canyon State Park

Let it Vee

5.7, Trad,

Avg: 1.8 from 84 votes
FA: Hague and Reichart, 1981
Colorado > Boulder > Eldorado Canyon SP > Cadillac Crag

Access Issue: 2023 Seasonal Closures - lifted Details

Update: as of 6/7/23 per Mike McHugh, ECSP: all closures have been lifted within Eldorado Canyon State Park, including Continental Crag.

Crags on Eldorado Mountain, such as Mickey Mouse wall and Cryptic Crags, are outside of park boundaries and may still be subject to Boulder County closures.

Previously in 2023: per M. McHugh, ECSP: the upper loop of the Rattlesnake Gulch Trail, above the Crags Hotel Ruin, & the
Continental Divide Overlook, is closed effective immediately. This included Continental Crag.

These areas are closed to all activities, including rock climbing & hiking, through 7/15 or until further notice, to protect nesting golden eagles on the S side of the canyon.

Golden Eagles are protected by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service under authority of the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. A conviction of nest disturbance can carry a fine to $5,000 & one year imprisonment.

See the map in the photo section for terrain closure.

Previous years: per Dustin Bergman, CO State Parks Officer #770, ECSP:

Seasonal Raptor Closures
Check Park site for current closures:
cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/…

For more info visit:
cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/…

Double check prior to venturing there. Thanks!

Description

This is a fun 75 foot dihedral to the L of You're Ugly and Gonzo. The pro is all there, the anchors are bomber -- trees. It's a fast one pitch moderate climb that's ideal for beginning leaders. And, it stays in the shade a long time.

Protection

stoppers and cams, mid range

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

Mike starts up the route.

Warming the hands on a cold day.

Garrett Gillest cleaning gear on "Let it Vee" at age 5.

Tommy getting a nut in on the start off a solid stance.

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

Peter Spindloe
BC

Better than it looks from below, quite enjoyable. Oct 22, 2001

Leo Paik
Westminster, Colorado

For you beginning leaders, either don't fall or place closely spaced protection above the broken off stump (clearly pictured) to prevent horrendous impaling. Perhaps a saw.... Apr 25, 2003

Brenda Leach
Ridgway, CO

This is an OK route, much easier than P2 of Gonzo. I don't think this gets climbed often. In the dihedral crack, there's a bit of vegetation and dirt. Makes the feet "interesting" when there's not much on the face. Lots of loose rock at the top. Be careful when belaying from above. Sep 20, 2004

Scott Edlin
boulder, co

5.7

Maybe it was just because I hadn't warmed up, but I got pretty pumped on this. As with all routes in this area, there is a ton of loose rock piled up on top. The stump should be either removed or sharpened to a fine point for beginning leader kabobs. May 7, 2006

jay baichi

5.7

This is a fun climb. I would recommend this climb to any leader. But I agree about the stump. If you fall - Owwww! Aug 3, 2007

Ben Helgeson
Denver

Great climb! Someone has 'adjusted' the stump recently. There is no longer potential for getting goosed/impaled. Very fun route! May 26, 2008

Rick Blair
Denver

5.7+

No one mentioned the nice laybacking starting half way. Fun route! Lots of loose rocks at belay ledge, watch out! I knocked a few down. Jul 30, 2008

eldoradolocal

Julie Clements and I climbed this route in '71 or '72. I don't know if we were the first, but there were no signs (pin scars) of anyone else climbing it before. We protected it entirely with chocks, and a previous party might have too. Sep 9, 2011

Clint Locks
Boulder

The infamous tree stump has been removed. Note--the very loose walk-off ledge traverses just above this pitch, so expect some rockfall on a busy day. Apr 23, 2012

Alex Vidal
Durango, CO

There really aren't too many quality one pitch climbs of this grade in Eldorado. I thought this was quite fun and has a lot of interesting stemming between the cracks on the right and the corner. It is worth nothing that the detatched block (that a beginning leader might be tempted to place gear in) on the right immediately following the stump, moves a bit and will not take reliable protection despite its appearance. As soon as you pass this block, there is a solid single crack that will take a good finger-sized piece. Nov 2, 2015