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Sloper Traverse (aka Baby Grand)

V4+, Boulder,  Avg: 2.8 from 51 votes
FA: unknown
Colorado > Ft Collins > Horsetooth Rese… > Piano Ridge
Warning Access Issue: Larimer County DNR Regulations DetailsDrop down

Description

This fun low traverse is on the boulder just downhill and to the left of the Piano Boulder, as you approach from the parking area. Begin this traverse on good holds on the south end of the boulder, with a heel hook at the start. Traverse to the left, then go around the corner to the good under-clings and move to the top.

Protection

A pad and a spotter.

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

Working the other side of the problem....
[Hide Photo] Working the other side of the problem....
Sloper Traverse boulder. Some holds chalked up. Many variations exist, according to NCCC guide for Horsetooth Res Bouldering.
[Hide Photo] Sloper Traverse boulder. Some holds chalked up. Many variations exist, according to NCCC guide for Horsetooth Res Bouldering.
My brother dispatching the traverse. Maybe V2/3.
[Hide Photo] My brother dispatching the traverse. Maybe V2/3.

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

Colin Erskine
Loveland, CO
 
[Hide Comment] You can also start the same way, move right and up, and there is one huge jug, and a few smaller pinches but just go right up over the top of the point and it's a V0/1. Jan 11, 2007
Jordan A.
  V5-
[Hide Comment] An extension has been done which continues traversing left through the standard finish (huge underclings on north wall), and rounding the NE corner while staying as low as possible the entire way. Some juggy low holds and a rest lead to the crux last move: a long lock-off from a good, albeit painful, right-handed gaston while perched on left foot nubbins, to an elusive but positive pocket up and left on the east-facing "wall". Stick it and top out. Like everything around this area the problem is a bit contrived but fun. Worth working if you've sent the standard sloper traverse (I've also heard this referred to as "Baby Grand Traverse") too many times. Probably V5+ with the extension and possibly a 6 with the addition of a silly, totally unnecessary lower sit start at the very beginning of the traverse. Enjoy. Oct 11, 2007
Jason Isherwood
Golden
  V3+
[Hide Comment] Where does the consensus of V11 come from? I have done this traverse and I am nowhere close to a V11 climber.... Mar 14, 2008
Leo Paik
Westminster, Colorado
[Hide Comment] This is from a flaw in the consensus rating algorithm and there are various examples of oddities within the database. We'll have the person who wrote the algorithm look at it and try to address it. Thanks for pointing out this. Mar 15, 2008
Kevin Landolt
Fort Collins, Wyoming
  V3+
[Hide Comment] This is a classy little problem. Apr 25, 2011
Tyler Fisher
Albany
  V4
[Hide Comment] This problem is also known as Baby Grand in a couple older guidebooks. Sep 21, 2020
Daniel Dara
 
[Hide Comment] I had a blast projecting this. Does anyone know if the juggy sid-pull at the top left is on? It's not mentioned in the description but seems like it's probably off for a V4 variation, so I avoided it. Got a send of it in the rain! youtube.com/watch?v=32n_gCu…. May 19, 2021
Tyler Madani
Los Angeles
 
[Hide Comment] Classic a must do. Sep 23, 2021