PRINT: Rock Climb Micro Chip, Golden

Micro Chip

5.13a, Sport, 60 ft (18 m),

Avg: 2.3 from 12 votes
FA: Equipped by Alan Nelson, then recycled hangers. FFA Derek Peavey
Colorado > Golden > Clear Creek Canyon > Highlands aka Highlander

Access Issue: Seasonal Raptor Closures/CDOT Road Work Details

Please be aware of the annual raptor seasonal closures!

Raptor Closures Effective February 1-July 31

Visit: jeffco.us/open-space/news/2…

Tunnel 1 closure
For more details visit: jeffco.us/open-space/alerts…

CCC Raptor Nesting Closure 1 (MM 270, W of Tunnel 1). Photo reconfiguration: Ron Keller.

CCC Raptor Nesting Closure 2 (E of Tunnel 2). In 2016, the closure WAS lifted June 9 for ONLY the 2016 season, per Eric Krause, JeffCo OS Ranger. Photo reconfiguration: Ron Keller.

The two areas Jefferson County Open Space intends to close in Clear Creek Canyon, shown on the attached maps, encompass the active eagle nests. If the Clear Creek eagles continue to nest in the active nests, these areas will remain closed from February 1 through July 31. If the eagles choose different nesting sites, the closures will be adjusted accordingly to protect those eagles during their breeding season.

Currently, rock climbing areas that fall inside of the seasonal raptor closures include:

Blonde Formation
Bumbling Stock
Evil Area
Ghost Crag
Highlander
Skinny Legs
Stumbling Block
Tetanus Garden
Fault Caves

June 7, 2021 - TBD: Highway 6 is currently doing full road closures from Sunday night to Friday morning every week. The closure is from the junction of Highway 119 and Highway 6 to the junction of Highway 40 and Highway 6 (mile post ~260 to ~257). Vehicles that remain in the closure will be towed at owners expense.

Sundays: 7PM-4AM
Monday-Thursday: 4PM-4AM

Access Issue: 2016 Raptor Closure - Now Lifted 6/9/16 Details

Update: the raptor closure for 2016 for the Tunnel 2 Area has been lifted as of 6/9/16 per Eric Krause, JeffCo OS Ranger.

Raptor Closures for 2016:

The two areas Jefferson County Open Space intends to close in Clear Creek Canyon, shown on the attached maps, encompass the active golden eagle nests. If the Clear Creek eagles continue to nest in the active nests, these areas will remain closed from February 1 through July 31. If the eagles choose different nesting sites in 2016,
the closures will be adjusted accordingly to protect those eagles during their breeding season.

Currently, rock climbing areas that fall inside of the seasonal raptor closures include:

Blonde Formation
Bumbling Stock
Evil Area
Ghost Crag
Highlander
Skinny Legs
Stumbling Block
Tetanus Garden

Description

Micro Chip is the clean little headwall in between Leap of Faith and Red Tag Hag. To start, climb up the slab that is typical at this section of the wall. Move a little right and then head back left after clipping the third bolt. This portion of the route is still a little chossy, so use a little care.

Set up under the roof and clip the fourth bolt, then make a couple moves on jugs and clip the fifth bolt over the lip. Now make the initial crux moves and head for the Micro Chipped, err, Micro Chip hold. Bear down and reach better holds, then move up and right to the shared anchors with Red Tag Hag.

Location

This route is in between Leap of Faith to the left and Red Tag Hag to the right. It shares anchors with Red Tag Hag.

Protection

7 bolts.

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

Micro Chip. Climbs through the prominent, brown stripe up top.

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

Tzilla Rapdrilla

Great job, Derek, I heard a yelp from around the corner, didn't realize that it was the send. Mar 13, 2013

SteveZ
Excelsior, MN

5.13a

Cool boulder problem standing up to that "hold". Rock is a little flakey in spots but good stone where you need it. Thanks for throwing hangers back on this one, Derek, and good work on getting it! Mar 13, 2013

derek peavey

Thanks, Tod and Steve. This climb is all about the boulder problem. Very hard to rate. I thought around V6ish for me. If you boulder a lot, it could definitely be easier. This route could be .12c or .12d or .13a depending on your style of climbing and height. After watching Adam's beta, it seemed being shorter made it a little harder reaching for the "Chip". Mar 14, 2013

Matthew Lloyd
denver, colorado

Worth climbing, a fun crux with a cool stand up move. Easier if you're tall. The hold just above the crux is less than solid and may break eventually.

Thanks for putting hangers on this one. The route to the right is much harder than this one with the broken hold. Apr 25, 2013

Kevin Capps
Golden, CO

5.12d

Agreed, fun route! My only comment was that it was on the easier side of the grade being 5'11''. I thought it was 12+, but maybe it's 13- if you're a little shorter. Dec 15, 2016