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South Ridge

5.3, Trad,  Avg: 2.5 from 22 votes
FA: Gerry Roach, 1982
Colorado > Boulder > Flatirons > Central > Fee
Warning Access Issue: 2024 Crag Closures & Temporary Trail and Raptor Closures DetailsDrop down

Description

The easiest way to approach this route is from Bear Canyon. Leave the Mesa Trail and follow the Bear Canyon Trail under the power lines as it contours into Bear Canyon. Leave the trail at the first stream crossing and bushwhack NE up the slope, aiming for a huge boulder known as "The Bubble". To figure how how to navigate to the Bubble, see the photo on p. 97 of Rossiter's Flatiron.

The start of this route is about 50' above the Bubble. Follow easy slabs to a steep section passed by a step around to the right (crux!). Continue on to the summit. You can downclimb Fee via the north ridge. From here it is probably easiest to descend the Mallory Cave Trail (see Fee rock description).

Protection

Light rack

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

View of Fee from across the way.
[Hide Photo] View of Fee from across the way.
A view of the start of the South Ridge of Fee.
[Hide Photo] A view of the start of the South Ridge of Fee.
Cool ridge just below the summit.
[Hide Photo] Cool ridge just below the summit.
The crux step across on the South Ridge.
[Hide Photo] The crux step across on the South Ridge.

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

Holly Barnard
 
[Hide Comment] I'm not a particularly brave soloist and found myself wandering quite a bit to avoid lower quality rock. The photo of the crux is accurate but doesn't capture high consequence of blowing the couple crux moves. It would be an ugly pinball down the gully/slot below. May 9, 2022
Owen Martin
[Hide Comment] This climb rocks, but be careful when soloing - in a couple spots the holds are a bit fragile. I found the ridgeline parts to be excellent, rivaling the sweet layback ridge of Fi Fun above. Jun 20, 2023