The Great Escape

This fun climb/scramble finds a way to the top of Train Robber Mesa. There are only two short technical pitches of 5.4. From the summit of this long big mesa one will find magnificent views across the San Rafael Swell and assess if required to a traverse along the full length of the formation. The party found no sign of a previous ascent.

Start: From the foot of "Hide Out Tower" walk around the corner to the north for about 200 yards until one can see a short right leaning overhanging crack marked by a cairn. This turns out to be a 15' 5.4 squeeze chimney. Climb up this(overweight climbers need not apply) and then up through talus and bushes towards a large chimney slightly right just below the rim. Walk into this, turn right, and go under the chock stones, then escape up the chimney 40' to exit up a 5.4 groove. From here, walk back a few yards and ascend an easy scoop to the summit on the left. There is a register in a cairn.

Descent: Rap down 50' from a bollard above and to the right of the top of the chimney. Rap from a tree 15' down the squeeze chimney.

See description of "Hide Out Tower" and Train Robbers Mesa

3.5 cam useful for the belay above the top chimney. Slings. One rope.