All Locations > Colorado > Alpine Rock > RMNP - Rock > Notchtop

Topnotch

Name: Topnotch
Rating: 2.0

5.11c YDS 6c+ French 24 Ewbanks VIII- UIAA 24 ZA E4 6a British

Routes in Notchtop

L › R R › L A › Z

	Direct South Ridge T 5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
	Finding Religion on the Spiral T 5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b R
	Instant Clarification (AKA Rap Route) T 5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a
	Laid Back (a.k.a. NE Ridge) T 5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
	Mornin' T 5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
	Optimismus T 5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
	Relief Train T 5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
	Religion T 5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c R
	Spiral Route T 5.4 4a 12 IV 10 VD 3c
	Topnotch T 5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a
	White Room T 5.11 6c+ 23 VIII- 23 E4 5c X
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Type:	Trad, Alpine, 1000 ft (303 m), 7 pitches
GPS:	40.3186, -105.694
FA:	Ruckman/Coats Brothers, 1988
Page Views:	2,747 total · 9/month
Shared By:	Alex Shainman on Oct 29, 2001
Admins:	Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monty, Monomaniac, Tyler KC Page Updates (admin only)

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Access Issue: Closures Details

Seasonal closures Feb. 15-July 31. Per the Denver Post:, the Cathedral Wall and all areas above the Loch Vale-Sky Pond Trail are closed to off-trail travel! Per this RMNP website, "Initial closures now occur in Feb. 15 and April, when raptors return to the region and scout for nesting sites. Areas containing general habitat preferred by raptors are closed during this time. Once raptors have selected nesting spots, the initial closures are lifted or adjusted. The specific areas which raptors choose for nesting sites are closed."

For additional information about raptor closures, please visit the Rocky Mountain National Parks area closures website.

General NPS climbing regulations for RMNP posted here.

Description

It's hard to justify giving 3 stars to a route when only one pitch is 3 stars.... Topnotch, the name, is dedicated only to the crux pitch which is 3 stars...I thought this pitch was somewhat reminiscent of Butterballs in the Valley, just not as splitter. When standing under the right side of the east face, it's hard to mistake the 80 foot plaque of stellar rock.... You only need to climb funky alpine rock on pitches before and after. The 5.9 pitch just after the crux is actually OK (exciting). After 4 or so pitches, arrive on the large ledge of the East Meadows. A couple hundred feet of the Spiral Route puts you in the notch where you have two descent options...4th class weaving down the northwest ridge or 3 double rope raps down the west face (2 bolt stations).

To find the first rap: From the notch, 3rd class move over the chimney/gully toward the west, look for a large boulder leaning against the wall.