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Velvet Hammer

5.10c, Trad, 3 pitches,  Avg: 1.3 from 4 votes
FA: D. Hare, D. Michael, 1978
Colorado > Boulder > Eldorado Canyon SP > Redgarden Wall > Redgarden - Below Low…
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Description

Go up the West Face of Redgarden Wall on the trail, just past the second set of Railroad Tie stairs. From the top of these stairs, look right to the wall and down a short distance, to where a medium-sized conifer sits on a ledge just a short scramble above the ground. This is at the start of Velvet Hammer.

P1: From the tree, start up through a flake that leans up and left and forms a crack through the roof, just 10 feet or so off of the ledge. Jam and cling out through this roof, protecting the crack with cams (5.10c). The area is lichenous and sharp- wear tape gloves to avoid mashing your hands and maybe a pair of goggles to keep the $hit out of your eyes. The moves are fun, but this first pitch really needs cleaned. Oh, and try to stay out of the tree if you fall. Continue up the crack to a big sloping ledge. Once on the ledge above, you can build a lousy belay, or continue up on the second pitch, which I recommend.

P1 can be avoided by climbing the first pitch of The Slimy Spoon (5.8)

P2: There are a series of 3 very similar looking dihedrals up and left of you. Climb up the right side of the right-most of these (5.9) and past it to another big ledge. Move up and left on the ledge and belay below the big arete up above.

P3: Go left around the arete and climb some crack and face to reach the top of the Lower Ramp. (5.8-)

Protection

As standard rack with a full set of cams. The fall potential is not serious, but at the crux of the first pitch, it would be possible to get snagged into the tree just behind you. Thus, place a "thin hands" cam well overhead prior to making these moves.

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

Joe Huggins on Velvet Hammer -  1981<br>
No Cams!<br>
<br>
Photo: Marc Hirt.
[Hide Photo] Joe Huggins on Velvet Hammer - 1981 No Cams! Photo: Marc Hirt.