Mountain Project Logo
To save paper & ink, use the [Hide] controls next to photos and comments so you only print what you need.

Hippopotamus

5.11a, Sport, 60 ft (18 m),  Avg: 2.2 from 101 votes
FA: Paul Glover (bolted by Matt Samet)
Colorado > Boulder > Flatirons > South > Slab
Warning Access Issue: 2024 Crag Closures & Temporary Trail and Raptor Closures DetailsDrop down

Description

This is the current rightmost route on the west face of the Slab, up on the Undertow ledge. It climbs the black, bulging wall with a big, crispy flake at the start and an overhanging groove up high, to anchors over the lip.

Head up and right along the ledge from Undertow and stand tall to clip the first bolt ***before*** you pull onto the flake (the flake is very thin along the bottom). Move up to the flake top and into the crux. I've seen some chalk heading off right, but beware: that is loose choss and a better sequence is the one on the left. Cop a rest at the break and then finish past two more bolts on cool flutings (5.10).

This is a good, thuggy warm-up for other routes at the Slab.

Location

This is fifteen feet right of Sweet Niblitz.

Protection

Five bolts to double-bolt anchors.

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

Paul warming up.
[Hide Photo] Paul warming up.
Hippopotamus, 5.10d, the Slab, Fern Canyon, Flatirons, Boulder, Colorado, Earth, Solar System, Milky Way galaxy, the Universe.
[Hide Photo] Hippopotamus, 5.10d, the Slab, Fern Canyon, Flatirons, Boulder, Colorado, Earth, Solar System, Milky Way galaxy, the Universe.

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

Ben Sachs
Las Vegas, NV
 
[Hide Comment] This thing is cleaning up well. As far as steep 5.10 sport rigs around Boulder go, this one is pretty cool! Longish draws on basically all bolts except 1st help with the clips and rope drag, especially if this is your limit or you are short. Apr 24, 2012
[Hide Comment] This route is actually named Cockopotamus after Hank Caylor's enormous rig. We had to sanitize the name to get it past the city. Just thought you all might like to know. And yes, this route is terrible, 0 stars at best, but it's the only worthwhile warm-up on the wall. Jun 24, 2012
Steve Annecone
Boulder, CO
  5.11a
[Hide Comment] I think this is a good and worthwhile route! Agree with Matt, thuggy warm-up, which is nice to prep for other routes on the cliff. The crux felt like either clipping the second bolt, or perhaps moving up past the second bolt to the good high hold with the left. Doesn't seem to get any easier after repeated ascents.... Aug 27, 2015
Peter Beal
Boulder Colorado
  5.11a
[Hide Comment] Today I did this route along with the 11 to the right and the first pitch of Prime the Pump, and it was probably the hardest of the three! Very interesting climbing, definitely not 5.10. May 12, 2017
Japhy Dhungana
Boulder, CO
  5.11a
[Hide Comment] Beta from Paul: helps to lower from the 5th draw after hitting the topout jugs. Then the last person can rap the route from the steel carabiners at the chains. Helps by not having your rope go over a nasty edge and saves wear and tear. Sep 14, 2017