PRINT: Rock Climb Void Where Prohibited, Estes Park Valley

Void Where Prohibited

5.11a PG13, Sport, 60 ft (18 m),

Avg: 2 from 21 votes
FA: Brown and Guerrieri, 1995
Colorado > Estes Park Valley > CO Hwy 7 & Trib… > Ironclads > Ironsides

Description

This is the furthest right route on Ironsides and is actually detached from the main Ironsides formation. It ascends the slightly overhanging wall to the right of "Unknown Right of Slab-a-dab-a-doo". I recall 5 bolts, but the third is missing its hanger and the second is a thin-threaded spinner (hence the PG-13). I used a 3" cam for the missing hanger, and its placement was adequate (so I understand why someone removed it).

The Gillett guide rates this 11a, but I would say 10c (it didn't feel like 11 to me). I only posted this route due to the big spinner and the missing hanger - also, it feels overrated, so give it a go!

Location

It is the furthest rightside route on Ironsides; on a detached, overhanging wall.

Protection

Anchors with chains at the top, 5 quickdraws, and a 2.5 to 3" cam.

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

Steep and really fun.

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

Mike Dallin

A little history about the missing hanger: it was the fourth hanger that was missing. It wasn't removed by anyone for any ethical considerations. Rather, two summers ago a friend of ours was seconding the route, and they fell while still clipped in to this fourth bolt. The force of swinging outward was too much for the loosened bolt hanger, and it popped off. They couldn't find where it landed.... It is sobering to think too that another friend led the route not 15 minutes earlier, and took a leader fall on this bolt. We've known a few climbers who have been suckered onto the route only to find the forth bolt missing, and all of them just ran it out (scary) to the fifth bolt.

Fast forward to yesterday... we brought a replacement hanger and nut with us in case it was still missing. Another group climbing the route replaced the nut and hanger for us, using the original bolt stud (thanks to them!). So Brent, we must have been at the cliff at the same time. Small world. Aug 3, 2008

Croy T
Longmont, Co

And thanks Mike to you and your partner for bringing out the washer, nut, hanger and wrench. I was glad to reinstall the hanger while on top rope. Earlier one of our party had backed off after mulling over the possible R fall, and she is a pretty solid climber. She was delighted to give it a go from the ground up after we got the hanger back on. She's not from Colorado and was impressed with the local community looking after the routes. Thanks again. Aug 3, 2008

Amos Patrick
Estes Park

5.10c/d

As of 7/25/10 the bolts are all solid. Jul 26, 2010

John Wit
Estes Park

5.11a PG13

Update: bolt 5 hanger is loose as of 8/29/12 (last bolt before the anchors)...not a huge deal because the meat of the climb is over.
Otherwise, a really fun route that is a over-hanging relief from the majority of techy slab out there. Aug 31, 2012

Emil Briggs

5.11a

I guess the PG-13 rating is because some of the bolts were not in great condition at one point, but everything looks solid as of 2019, so I don't think it's warranted any longer. Sep 21, 2019