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How The West Was Won

5.9, Sport,  Avg: 2.7 from 274 votes
FA: Jay Fredinburg, 1992
Colorado > San Luis Valley > Penitente Canyon > Penitente - Inner Canyon
Warning Access Issue: Limited access Oct. 15-17, 2021 DetailsDrop down

Description

Follow the main drainage that enters the canyon from the right at Captain America. As the drainage narrows down, head for the huecoed wall at the end - this may entail scrambling around the streamlet that can run a bit of water in the spring. Excellent hueco climbing to a thin slab await. This line comes well recommended as a rationally bolted moderate on solid rock that provides a good a good introduction to pocket climbing.

Protection

A handful of draws and a rope.

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

Nearing the anchors on a warm day.
[Hide Photo] Nearing the anchors on a warm day.
Belaying my buddy, great shot of the climb and the canyon!
[Hide Photo] Belaying my buddy, great shot of the climb and the canyon!
A cool summer day in the canyon.
[Hide Photo] A cool summer day in the canyon.
April belaying Ty on How the West Was Won.
[Hide Photo] April belaying Ty on How the West Was Won.
How the West Was Won.
[Hide Photo] How the West Was Won.
Jonny about to rap.
[Hide Photo] Jonny about to rap.
You can see the first bolt here.  The start is still a good 6' or so out of the photo.
[Hide Photo] You can see the first bolt here. The start is still a good 6' or so out of the photo.
How The West Was Won 5/21/2005.
[Hide Photo] How The West Was Won 5/21/2005.
Tristan Hechtel flashes How the West Was Won. Photo by Sibylle
[Hide Photo] Tristan Hechtel flashes How the West Was Won. Photo by Sibylle
Brice W. cruising How the West Was Won.
[Hide Photo] Brice W. cruising How the West Was Won.
How the West Was Won.
[Hide Photo] How the West Was Won.
Free solo on How the West Was Won.
[Hide Photo] Free solo on How the West Was Won.

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

Larry Earley
Los Alamos, NM
[Hide Comment] Nice climb but short. One of the few easier climbs at Penitente. Start is crux. Good warmup climb. Jul 3, 2003
[Hide Comment] I thought this was a great route and it was my first lead out side. The big incut huecos make it a great beginner climb. Nov 20, 2003
[Hide Comment] A bit sporty at the start without a stick clip. Mar 22, 2004
[Hide Comment] Does anyone know route name & grade of route 10' to the south. .11a?ish. Mar 25, 2004
[Hide Comment] Funny coincidence, I was just there this past weekend and we noticed an excellent bolted line on a cliff just behind the belay stance for HTWWW. It felt 11a-ish to me as well, with some nice powerful (relatively for penitente, at least) moves up two short steep faces, and a thin-feet diagonal rightward traverse connecting them. Recommended, but perhaps do two warmup laps on HTWWW before bearing down on this one's crimpers. Oh, and by the way, I thought HTWWW was an excellent warmup or easy-moderate lead (with stick clip for beginning leaders). Beautiful location, too, in a little winding side canyon with a porthole arch in the cliff above. May 25, 2004
courtney.vogt
Denver, Colorado
[Hide Comment] "Heads up" - I thought the first bolt was WAY up there. Still, a fun climb all the way up. Sep 18, 2006
Mike Anderson
Colorado Springs, CO
[Hide Comment] Some pencil-dik stole one of the chains off this route. If you find this person, be sure to slash his tires for me! Oct 26, 2006
Chris Wenker
Santa Fe
 
[Hide Comment] I got a good black Powercam placement in a left-hand hueco from an easy low stance. That should CYA to nearly the first bolt. (but Camalots are too wide for those pockets). May 18, 2008
Jesse Morehouse
CO
  5.9
[Hide Comment] One of the better 5.9 climbs in the canyon that, like most of them, was not bolted for a 5.9 leader. I guess it is incentive to step up to higher grades because 5.12 climbers on 5.12 climbs are apparently at greater risk than 5.9 climbers on 5.9 routes! May 25, 2008
Gary Schmidt
Boulder, CO
 
[Hide Comment] Maybe a little soft for 5.9 (actually rated 5.8+ in the Colorado guidebook). But that first bolt is a very long ways up there and it is not a gimmee to get there. Very fun climb. Jun 14, 2009
Ben Cassedy
Denver, CO
  5.9-
[Hide Comment] Super fun route, each hold better than the last. I didn't find the upper slab 'thin' either - positive holds up there, too.

I followed the guidebook's suggestion of belaying from up top. The anchors are plenty beefy - it was just a fun walkoff in a cool setting. Sep 6, 2010
Mike Smyth
Spartanburg, SC
 
[Hide Comment] That first bolt is still a ways up. I showed it some stick clip love. I would guess it's about 15-17' up to the first. It's doable on the lead, but stick clipping that first one sure does make you feel better about it. May 29, 2012
Hiro Protagonist
Colorado
 
[Hide Comment] Fun climb, surprisingly pumpy, although you have plenty of places to rest. I agree, what's up with the super high first bolt? The holds are decent for the start, except deciding which to use, climb purposefully until you get that bolt! Oct 15, 2012
ErikaNW
Golden, CO
[Hide Comment] The mussy hooks at the anchor were missing their gates (open hooks) and were replaced with rap rings (part of the 2014 re-bolting project weekend). May 26, 2014
[Hide Comment] All 3 lead bolts replaced 4/3/15. Thanks to ASCA for the hardware!!! Apr 5, 2015
Ben D
Colorado
  5.9- PG13
[Hide Comment] The crux was definitely the first move or two getting onto the route, but once you're on, wow! What a great climb! The first bolt IS a bit high as others have stated, but the holds are solid and the climbing obvious all the way up. Other than the committing first bolt, this is a good lead for those breaking into the 5.9 range. Once the rope is up, there is a fun 5.10a/b variation you can TR by climbing 3-4' to the right of the bolt line. Enjoy! Oct 30, 2015
James Oliver
Monte Vista, CO
[Hide Comment] WARNING: the first bolt is very loose. The head was already turning freely, and I was easily able to unscrew just a bit and pull the bolt all the way out of the hole with just my fingers, leaving the sleeve behind. I put it back in and tightened with fingers but didn't have a wrench handy to tighten more strongly.

The left anchor bolt on the top is a bit loose as well. The hanger moves, and I could move the head back and forth slightly.

Be careful out there! Don't blindly trust bolts! May 21, 2017
[Hide Comment] A lower bolt was added to this that is more in line with the grade and climbers who will be climbing the route. Mar 9, 2021