Type: | Trad, 70 ft (21 m) |
FA: | Tony Bubb, Chris Parks, & Peter Spindloe, 12/2003 |
Page Views: | 958 total · 4/month |
Shared By: | Tony B on Apr 13, 2006 |
Admins: | Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monty, Monomaniac, Tyler KC |
Crags on Eldorado Mountain, such as Mickey Mouse wall and Cryptic Crags, are outside of park boundaries and may still be subject to Boulder County closures.
Previously in 2023: per M. McHugh, ECSP: the upper loop of the Rattlesnake Gulch Trail, above the Crags Hotel Ruin, & the
Continental Divide Overlook, is closed effective immediately. This included Continental Crag.
These areas are closed to all activities, including rock climbing & hiking, through 7/15 or until further notice, to protect nesting golden eagles on the S side of the canyon.
Golden Eagles are protected by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service under authority of the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. A conviction of nest disturbance can carry a fine to $5,000 & one year imprisonment.
See the map in the photo section for terrain closure.
Previous years: per Dustin Bergman, CO State Parks Officer #770, ECSP:
Seasonal Raptor Closures
Check Park site for current closures:
cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/…
For more info visit:
cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/…
Double check prior to venturing there. Thanks!
Description
Quicksilver is a different finish and a completely new pitch above the first 3 pitches of Quicksand. The 5.9+ rating is an offwidth rating and may seem hard if you are not used to OW climbing.
From the ledge previously above the first 3 pitches of Quicksand, below the death-rap-station, climb up to the right and towards a 4-6" crack though the roof at a right-facing dihedral/overhang. There is a death block teetering here, but it can be easily avoided. It looks to be about ~ 4' x 3' and is perhaps 8 cubic feet (about 2000 lbs). The point is, that it WILL KILL OR MAIM SOMEONE if you knock it off - so don't. Stem up past the flake and to the roof/crack. You can protect the roof at the base with a #3 Camalot or 3.5" piece in a narrow spot (solid gear), and then stem higher and get in a solid 3.5"-4" cam. Protect, then pull up and left to the corner and over the roof (5.9+). During this crux, a #4 Camalot is optional, but the last piece is at your knees anyway. Continue up on easy hand-to-fist cracks protecting with 3" gear, if you saved any (5.5) and up to a ledge and to the top of the ridge, now 20' right of the top of LJW . Belay after slinging a [huge] boulder, or walk the ridge to the "slot" above LJW, and belay as per that climb.
Location
This is a lone pitch high on the West Ridge, approached via Ignominity, Quicksand, or Long John Wall.
Protection
A standard rack as for the approach pitches (like Quicksand ) + a #4 Camalot and maybe a 3.5 if you brought it. The route would be moderately spicy without these pieces.
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