PRINT: Rock Climb Thin Crack, Lumpy Ridge

Thin Crack

5.9+, Trad, TR, 60 ft (18 m),

Avg: 1.5 from 2 votes
FA: possibly R. Rossiter, pre 1996
Colorado > Estes Park Valley > Lumpy Ridge > Twin Owls

Access Issue: 2023 Seasonal Raptor Closures lifted 7/28/23 Details

Per Brent Frazier: the raptor closures have been lifted in the Lumpy Ridge and Loch Vale Areas ( nps.gov/romo/raptor-closure…)

Each year, Rocky Mountain National Park initiates temporary closures in certain areas of the park to ensure that birds of prey will be undisturbed during their breeding and nesting seasons. These closures begin on February 15 and continue through July 31, if appropriate. Monitoring by park staff and volunteers have determined that all remaining closures can be lifted on July 28, 2023.

Per Matt Coghill: the Golden eagle nesting activity has extended Lumpy closures through Aug. 15, 2022 on Sundance, Thunder Buttress, and Needle Summit!

Per A.Eaton: the raptor closures have been lifted as of 6/4/2022 at Lumpy for the following formations:

Twin Owls
Rock One
Batman Rock
Batman Pinnacle
Checkerboard
Lightning Rock

Per the Denver Post: as of Feb. 15, 2022, Checkerboard Rock, Lightning Rock, Batman Rock, Batman Pinnacle, Sundance, Thunder Buttress, The Parish, Bookmark Pinnacle, The Left Book, Bookmark, Twin Owls, Rock One, and the Needle are closed for raptor nesting. These closures will continue through July 31, 2022 if needed.

All areas [were] OPEN to climbing for the 2021 post July season.

Closures ending July 31:
Batman Rock, Batman Pinnacle, Lightning Rock, Checkerboard Rock - nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/…
Sundance - nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/…
The Book Area: Left Book, The Bookmark, Bookmark Pinnacle, and the entire Book formation (including Renaissance Wall, Isis Buttress, Pages Wall Area, and J-Crack Slab Area)- nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/…
Thunder Buttress and The Parish - nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/…
Twin Owls and Rock One - nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/…
Cathedral Wall - nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/…

When closed, the closures include the named rock formations and the areas surrounding the base of the formation. This includes all climbing routes, outcroppings, cliffs, faces, ascent and descent routes, and climber's access trails to the formation.

Areas not listed are presumed to be open. These closures will be lifted or extended as conditions dictate.

Description

This inviting line is on the right end of the Lower Twin Owls. It is just right of Second Thoughts and starts directly behind a dead pine tree. It is an obvious crack system that looks easier than it climbs. It is listed in Rossiter's guide as "Thin Crack" and is described as a "beautiful fingertip crack." There are more lines to play on here (One of Life's Little Problems & its 5.8 variation, Black Lichen Streak, Second Thoughts, Alignment of the Misaligned, and Sunset Arete) on a sunny, windless, late fall or winter day.

Find this line by hiking up the Lower Twin Owls trail to nadir of the Lower Twin Owls buttress (where Tilted Mitten starts). Continue up and right on a trail until you come to a large, right-facing dihedral whose base is described as an alcove in Gillett's guide and on page 212 of Rossiter's guide. It is probably 400 ft up and right from the nadir.

Gaston, lieback, occasionally jam, and then face climb through a shallow slot. The first half is harder than the second half. Belay at a tree. 60 ft. No rappel anchor at this time.

You can also reach this tree by climbing the start to One of Life's Little Problems (to #4 Camalot) and then traverse right (#2 Camalot) to the tree.

Protection

Wires, extra small cams to #0.75 Camalot size.

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

this is the line described by Richard Rossiter.