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East Face (of the Hourglass)

Easy 5th, Trad, 350 ft (106 m), 2 pitches,  Avg: 0.8 from 12 votes
FA: unknown
Colorado > Boulder > Flatirons > North > Hourglass
Access Issue: Temporary Trail and Raptor Closures Details

Description

This is a difficult climb to describe in detail, as the line is indefinite and might climb almost anywhere on the face. The line you take will vary and be mostly be determined by finding the cleanest and driest rock rather than by what looks best at first. A few trees and cracks near said trees offer the best potential belays if you are roped up.

Location

Find the cleanest most singular path starting from the low end of the east face and head up the rock to the summit.

Protection

I dunno, really a light rack I guess. My only shot on this was a free solo downclimb from the top to the base on my way home from the Hippo Head.

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

Summit.
[Hide Photo] Summit.
On the east face of The Hourglass.
[Hide Photo] On the east face of The Hourglass.
Northeast ridge of Hourglass.
[Hide Photo] Northeast ridge of Hourglass.

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

George Bell
Boulder, CO
 
[Hide Comment] This face looks nice but is looser than your average Flatiron east face. Must have been scary to downclimb free solo, it was scary going up! Jun 12, 2007
Brian C.
Longmont, CO
  5.2
[Hide Comment] This climb is pretty terrible. Neat summit though. Jun 1, 2014
Peter D Daniels
Denver, CO
  5.2
[Hide Comment] Not enjoyable for me - both times. I will never climb this rock again. Oct 29, 2017
P. W.
  5.4 PG13
[Hide Comment] Not sure about the other comments here, but I thought the climbing was fun and continuous. The rock is fragile in places, so you have to choose your holds carefully. I soloed this on a linkup with the Amoeboid, but like most Flatirons, I would put it at PG-13 or R. Aug 11, 2018