Mountain Project Logo
To save paper & ink, use the [Hide] controls next to photos and comments so you only print what you need.

Face Value

5.9, Trad, 160 ft (48 m), 2 pitches,  Avg: 2.8 from 14 votes
FA: Dave Bell, Byron Nelson, & Chris Bell?
Colorado > S Platte > Goose Creek/Mol… > Sheeprock > Helen's Dome

Description

This is a beautiful dihedral to good-ole South Platte slab climbing. You have your choice of evils for the start--awkward offwith or an awkward flared handcrack.

Rap from a decent rap station after pitch 1, or wander on for 1 more pitch of slab climbing to rap from Fool's Gold.

Approach as for all other Helen's Dome SW face routes, Face Value is the first decent looking right-facing dihedral just to the right of Fool's Gold.

Protection

Miscellaneous gear to 3". Typical runout S. Platte slab with old bolts on pitch 2. 2 bolt rap station with slings and rap ring after 1st pitch.

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

I chose the flared crack start over the offwidth.
[Hide Photo] I chose the flared crack start over the offwidth.
1st pitch, 1999. Fun.
[Hide Photo] 1st pitch, 1999. Fun.
About to start the traverse to the anchors.
[Hide Photo] About to start the traverse to the anchors.
Chuck Graves finds full value on second pitch of Face Value.
[Hide Photo] Chuck Graves finds full value on second pitch of Face Value.
P2 crux.
[Hide Photo] P2 crux.
If you like offwidths, and who doesn't, you'll do this start to Face Value. Lenny Miller cruises the squeeze in this photo. (Photo by Chuck Graves.)
[Hide Photo] If you like offwidths, and who doesn't, you'll do this start to Face Value. Lenny Miller cruises the squeeze in this photo. (Photo by Chuck Graves.)
Lenny Miller gets his breath again after a little grunting up the OW. (Photo by Chuck Graves.)
[Hide Photo] Lenny Miller gets his breath again after a little grunting up the OW. (Photo by Chuck Graves.)
Mike at the top of the 2nd pitch.
[Hide Photo] Mike at the top of the 2nd pitch.
A good view of the second pitch. I'm standing at the anchors. I believe there was 5 bolts.
[Hide Photo] A good view of the second pitch. I'm standing at the anchors. I believe there was 5 bolts.
Mid way up the wonderful first pitch.
[Hide Photo] Mid way up the wonderful first pitch.
Face Value from the ledge.
[Hide Photo] Face Value from the ledge.
Staring off pitch 1, center variation.
[Hide Photo] Staring off pitch 1, center variation.

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

Monty
Golden, CO
[Hide Comment] Did this route today. This first pitch is great, a brief crux in the start then sustained 5.7 joy. The second pitch is well protected where you truey need it. Highly recommend it. May 10, 2006
Bjorn
WNC
[Hide Comment] Had a blast on this route a few days ago before winter arrived. One thing I'd like to note is that you can do this route and get off it with a single 70m rope with one significant footnote. The first rappel down is slightly incomplete with a 70m. The rappel gets you to a bomber ledge but not to the bolts. I had to go off rappel and walk over to the bolts whilst connected to nothing. My girlfriend did the same, mindful to secure one side of the rope to herself before going off rappel and doing the unprotected scramble over to me.
This stunt was pretty relaxed due to the low angle terrain and bomber jug flake right there for your "security." Again, nothing scary, though this manoeuver is definitely "against the rules" to most safety-conscious climbers. Oct 12, 2009
Allen Hill
FIve Points, Colorado and Pine
[Hide Comment] First ascent, Dave Bell and I believe his brother Chris, and Byron Nelson. I found some slides the other night from a mass ascent by drunken Colorado College students in the early eighties. Perhaps I'll put a few up, as several of those students lurk around here. Nov 16, 2009
Tony B
Around Boulder, CO
  5.9
[Hide Comment] Yep, rapping on a 70m is just fine. Makes it with a meter or two to spare to the flake, then a meter or two extra on the ramp system at the base as well. An 80m would almost reach the bolt anchor, but as has been said, it's not sketch to go off and walk over. Nov 21, 2016