PRINT: Rock Climb The Mosh, Denver South

The Mosh

5.8, Trad, TR, 55 ft (17 m),

Avg: 2.8 from 18 votes
FA: unknown
Colorado > Denver South > Castlewood Cany… > Neanderthal Wall

Access Issue: Historical seasonal raptor closures with 2023 updates Details

Per Castlewood Canyon: there is a new closure for nesting raptors this year: Five and Dime will be closed March 1st through July 31st. If you have any questions please feel free to reach out to me, Rachel Chaffee (Park Ranger) at dnr_castlewood.canyon@state.co.us or by phone at 303-688-5242.

Per Garrett Garner-Wells:

the current raptor closures, announced by CPW and reported on Denver7:

The following climbing route closures are currently in place:

- Morning Sun Wall is closed March 1-July 31.
- Porky’s Wall is closed March 1 - July 31.
- Vultures Wall is closed March 1-July 31. (per Rachel, CCSP Ranger, dnr_castlewood.canyon@state.co.use or 303-688-5242)
- Shakespearean Theater is closed March 1-May 31.
- Mind Meld is closed March 1-May 31.

As of 2020:

There is a very new and active nest of owls midway up the cliff at the north end of the Neanderthal Wall between Cro-Mag and Up The Red. There is no active nest around the south end of Neanderthal Wall.

As of June, 2017:

The 3 toprope routes at the far south end of Neanderthal Wall (far north end of Allied Wall) have a nesting pair of Snowy Owls. Please stay off these routes until further notice. The park has been notified and hopefully some signage will be put up. The route Rock Rat is included.

As of March 7, 2012:

Shakespearean Theater - restricted March, April, May.
Mind Meld - restricted March, April, May.
Porky's Wall - restricted March, April, May, June, through July 31.
Vulture Wall - restricted March, April, May.
Morning Sun Wall - restricted March, April, May, June, July.

Access Issue: Snowy Owl nesting closure Details

Per Matt Hearley: as of 2020, there is a very new and active nest of owls midway up the cliff at the north end of the Neanderthal Wall between Cro-Mag and Up The Red. There is no active nest around the south end of Neanderthal Wall.

The 3 toprope routes at the far south end of Neanderthal Wall (far north end of Allied Wall) have a nesting pair of Snowy Owls. Please stay off these routes until further notice. The park has been notified and hopefully some signage will be put up. The route Rock Rat is included.

Description

This is a pretty good climb. Climb the lower crack to a ledge. You can fill this up with large gear if you want (3-6 inch cams or Bigbros). At the ledge, choose between more wide crack on the left or a hand crack on the right. If you are out of large gear (like I was), the right side is the better option.

The left finish is also good. I just need a couple more big pieces to lead that side.

Location

The Mosh is a little further southeast from Primal Jam. Look for an offwidth crack at the start with twin cracks above from a ledge (see photo). There are multiple options for the descent. There is a class 4 descent to the south near the start of the Cave Wall and at least three class 4 descents to the north before you get to the Grocery Store Wall.

Protection

A standard rack, heavy on the big stuff, especially if you climb the upper left crack.

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

Corbin on the first half of the climb before the big offwidth.

Upper cracks of the climb.

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

Isaac Rubey
Denver, CO

Anyone know what the routes around to the left are called, some fun and harder topropes? Apr 9, 2020

Leo Paik
Westminster, Colorado

From a good, useful, older guidebook from 1997 by Thomas Hanson, there are TRs called Mobius Strip, 12a, TR on the 1st north-facing wall around the corner and to the left of that The Rock Rat, 11a, TR to the right of a white face on the right side of the face. Then it's a bit to the left of that that is Right Crack, considered part of Allied Wall.

Thanks, Tom! Apr 10, 2020

Ryan H
Lakewood, CO

Good trad lead (for those who like a little bit of offwidth). Large cams (#4 and #5) at the start, smaller nuts and cams up top through the thinner section of crack on the right side. Chain anchors. May 3, 2020