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Quick Silver

5.10c, Sport, 70 ft (21 m),  Avg: 2.4 from 195 votes
FA: Ed Ash in the '80s, bolted by Ron Olsen, Bruno Haché, 2009
Colorado > Boulder > Boulder Canyon > Across from The Bihed…
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Description

This is the center variation of three options that starts in the nook on this northwest aspect of this crag. It has a brief crux with the bulk of the difficulties in its second half.

Start up in a nook past 2 bolts. Continue up a slab with a footsy crux (a bit squeezed here, since you can reach left a touch bolts on the left variation - which would give a lower grade). You could strain a bit harder and eliminate a good hold on the left to challenge yourself. You can also easily veer left and make the route go at 5.10. Go up to an overlap, choose the left of 2 options here (going right is the route Erika). Find a second crux (10) and fire for the 2 bolt anchor with Mussy hooks on the left.

Some have called this 5.10.

This may have been climbed in the 1980s by Ed Ash.

Location

This is the center variation of three options up a slab that starts in the nook on this northwest aspect of this crag.

Protection

9-10 bolts.

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

Tally O'Donnell on Quicksilver, belayed by brother Timothy O'Donnell. Lycra is shown for scale.
[Hide Photo] Tally O'Donnell on Quicksilver, belayed by brother Timothy O'Donnell. Lycra is shown for scale.

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

Robert Buswold
Northglenn, CO
  5.10a
[Hide Comment] Really liked this route, but didn't think it was that hard. Hopefully it just means I'm getting better. Sep 9, 2012
doug rouse
Denver, CO.
[Hide Comment] Fun line. Pic has the climber in the crux. 5.10b/c seemed about right, as shorter climbers have to suss out slightly harder sequence. Being 6' felt like an advantage. Jun 24, 2013
ConnerM555
Denver
[Hide Comment] I also didn't think this route felt that hard, but maybe it is a sign of improvement. ^^^^^^ May 7, 2014
Andy Ban
CO
 
[Hide Comment] Fun. If you don't bail left at the 5th bolt, this will definitely feel 10+ (maybe 11-). I'd call it 10c if you go left. It's bolted very well and is fun regardless. Aug 16, 2014
Larry Shaw
Boulder, CO
 
[Hide Comment] Another fun route, felt about the same difficulty as Spooked and Erika above the overhang. Aug 30, 2017
Raymon Bonner
Boulder, CO
  5.10a
[Hide Comment] I'm only 5'8", and this still felt like a 10a to me. In my opinion, this one was significantly easier than pulling the roof on Thunderhead which is marked 10a. I'd encourage people to get on it if they’re pushing into mid 10s. Aug 1, 2018
Weston Hamilton
Denver, CO
[Hide Comment] Great climb, nice and tall. Thought the roof was pretty solid and would call this 10b-10c depending on how you climb over the roof, similar to Thunderhead in difficulty. Easier than Smallville and better I think too. Aug 13, 2018
Nick Stanisic
Wauwatosa, WI
 
[Hide Comment] Awesome route. 2nd Andy's comment. Going straight up the bolt line felt improbable at the fifth bolt, but it works and is quite fun. Nov 18, 2023
Chris toph
Boulder, CO
 
[Hide Comment] As others have alluded to, it’s kind of silly, but if you truly avoid any of the holds on the route to the left at the slab crux, it’s quite thin and probably clocks in around 11-. Jun 7, 2024