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The Flying Fortress

M13, Sport, Mixed, 115 ft (35 m),  Avg: 4 from 1 vote
FA: Will Mayo
Colorado > CO Ice & Mixed > Vail Ice > Rigid Designator Amph…

Description

Climb the start of Amphibian, and continue straight up on Red Beard. At the upper roof, the line moves diagonally leftward to the lip and straight up to the thin ice at the top. The crux is lockoffs in one to two inch ice, though there is also a strenuous, seven foot, deadpoint move through the roof.

The route was named as a tribute to my great uncle who was a co-pilot of a B-17 Flying Fortress. He and his crew were shot down over occupied France on his first mission. He evaded capture and escaped alone, with some help from French insurgent guides, over the Pyrenees, across Spain, to the safety of Gibraltar.

Location

Start on Amphibian; bolt anchor at the top; lower off with 70 meter rope.

Protection

17 bolts.

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

Co-pilot of B-17F (serial: 41-24611) nicknamed "Boomerang", for whom the route was a tribute.
[Hide Photo] Co-pilot of B-17F (serial: 41-24611) nicknamed "Boomerang", for whom the route was a tribute.
The ice is the crux.
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Photo by Caroline Treadway.
[Hide Photo] The ice is the crux. Photo by Caroline Treadway.
The yellow line.
[Hide Photo] The yellow line.