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The Ladder

V2, Boulder, Alpine, 10 ft (3 m),  Avg: 3.6 from 211 votes
FA: unknown
Colorado > Alpine Rock > Mt Blue Sky (fo… > Mt Blue Sky (fo… > Area A > Bierstadt Area
Warning Access Issue: Most of these boulders are within the Mt. Blue Sky (formerly Mount Evans) Wilderness Area, regulated & patrolled by the US. DetailsDrop down

Description

The Ladder, aka Indian Ladder, is an excellent warmup in the Bierstadt Area. This southeast-facing problem is extremely popular, featuring big moves on huge holds. The problem is a bit harder than it looks, but once you figure out which part of each hold to grab, this line will feel much easier. Begin with a sit start in the bottom of the pit, with hands matched on the big sloper. Pop up to the first rail, and so on towards the top. The holds get much more positive after the long reach at mid-height, and the topout is relatively moderate.
There are numerous eliminates involving the small crimps on this wall. A stand start to this problem drops the grade to V0.

Location

From Bierstadt, continue south through a narrow cleft between the Bierstadt Boulder & its neighbor. About 20’ south of this cleft, the trail passes the Ladder, which begins from the pit on the right (N of the trail).

Protection

~2 pads. The landing is mostly flat, but there is a sloping boulder on the left that is more of a psychological distraction than anything.

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

Cruising up the ultra-fun Ladder.
[Hide Photo] Cruising up the ultra-fun Ladder.
Nearing the top of the Ladder.
[Hide Photo] Nearing the top of the Ladder.
The Ladder.
[Hide Photo] The Ladder.
Warming up on The Ladder.
[Hide Photo] Warming up on The Ladder.
Mitch Mandel, The Ladder.
[Hide Photo] Mitch Mandel, The Ladder.
The Ladder Boulder is the large, flat-topped boulder on the left.  The Ladder climbs the shaded face in front of the climber.<br>
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The two hanging aretes in the forground are Ben's Arete (the nearest arete) and Maker's Mark (the darker arete).<br>
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The towering boulder behind the climber is the Bierstadt boulder.  Timeline & Canvas climb the face shown here.
[Hide Photo] The Ladder Boulder is the large, flat-topped boulder on the left. The Ladder climbs the shaded face in front of the climber. The two hanging aretes in the forground are Ben's Arete (the nearest…

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

Jason Kaplan
Glenwood ,Co
 
[Hide Comment] Wow! Timeline is V0+ but this is V2? and ohithians is V1? Dead on! I can do this one in my tennis shoes or mostly with out feet at all, no way can that be done on the other 2 but yet this is rated the hardest...
Something is wrong,
Ohithians used to be V3 and so was timeline. I don't see how they were downgraded but this wasn't. Aug 5, 2009
Monomaniac
Morrison, CO
  V2
[Hide Comment] Sarcasm levels running a bit high don't you think Jason?

These grades are simply my opinion. If you disagree, you can vote for a different grade (if you don't know how to do that, PM me). Aug 6, 2009
Jason Kaplan
Glenwood ,Co
 
[Hide Comment] Yeah, please forgive me. I'm stuck in Ohio now and for the last week so I'm in a bit of a sour mood. Not to mention I've not had a good year for climbing in general, I guess. BTW, I know how to add my contribution. I've not been up there in over 2 or 3 years since it started to get popular, so I don't feel I should give a rating on anything at this point in time. I was just trying to state what I remembered hearing from others. Aug 6, 2009
Monomaniac
Morrison, CO
  V2
[Hide Comment] No sweat, Jason. Get outta there as soon as you can! Aug 7, 2009
Chip Phillips
Broomfield, CO
  V1
[Hide Comment] FWIW, this problem was never referred to as "Indian Ladder" by the developers. Indian Ladder is at The Bog in the Poudre. Same developers. Nov 4, 2009
Kai Huang
Aurora, CO
 
[Hide Comment] Beta video: vimeo.com/12785390. Jun 25, 2010
Aaron Willey
Denver
  V2
Scott B
Flagstaff, AZ