PRINT: Rock Climb Bucking Chute, South Platte

Bucking Chute

5.11a, Trad, 90 ft (27 m),

Avg: 3.2 from 6 votes
FA: Matt Reeser and Lenore Sparks
Colorado > S Platte > W Creek > Thunder Ridge > Quarry

Access Issue: Road & nearby private property & COVID-19 Closure - now open Details

As of Nov. 6, 2020: per Johanna Jones: COVID-19 update: Thunder Ridge is open, although there are two considerations: 1) The landowners have asked climbers not to use their private road to enter Thunder Ridge. 2) As of July 1, 2020, all persons 18 and older must possess a valid Colorado HUNTING or FISHING LICENSE to access Colorado Parks and Wildlife land. THIS IS WHERE YOU PARK ON THIS LAND.

#2 is a little tricky considering the shoulder and the crag is on United State Forest Service land (Free), while the PARKING is on CPW land.

Info can be found here: pikespeakclimbersalliance.o…

As of April 5th, the Pikes Peak Climber's Alliance announced that Thunder Ridge is CURRENTLY CLOSED due to COVID-19. Please respect this closure, and check in with PPCA on updates as COVID-19 stay at home orders and impacts reduce over the coming months.

Please do your best to maintain good relationships with the people who own the land in this area. Do not drive your vehicle past the "private property" sign. Do not go up to the house to ask for directions to the crag. Do not ride your bike down the road. Please move immediately to the side of the road if any landowners are approaching in their vehicles.

Description

Bucking Chute is wrangled dead center between the Rodeo and Slippery Nipple on the right side of the Quarry Wall. Start by laying-back a left facing bulging crack to a horizontal undercling. Make some exciting chicken-head mantle combo moves to the crack that diverts from Slippery Nipple. Slippery Nipple line departs right shortly before Bucking Chute meets the prominent lie-back crack that splits the right Quarry Wall. Follow the crack until it ends and then follow the three bolt line through exciting slab moves. Continue up through a roof protected by a #2 or #3 camalot and go to the Slippery Nipple anchor.

Location

Follow the trail to the Quarry Wall, and immediately upon reaching the wall, the route will start just left of Slippery Nipple. The starting crack is left of the huge, steel mining bolt below the lieback crack.

Protection

Gear to #3 Camalot, 3 bolts, and an anchor.

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

Bucking Chute follows a system of cracks to the slab.

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

Glenn Schuler
Monument, Co.

Nice job, guys! Thanks for the work, can't wait to give it a go. Mar 11, 2017

Monty
Golden, CO

5.11b PG13

Thanks for the great addition, guys! It feels a bit committing starting up the steeper laybacks, since the crack is pretty flaring, and you can't see where your next good piece will be. Luckily, gear appears right when you need it. Fun route! Oct 8, 2017

Chris Kalman

I thought this and the next three routes to the right were all super enjoyable, good rock, excellent climbs. Thunder Ridge is so good it's hard to give them all 4 stars, but they're def worth climbing. Oct 15, 2017

Brian Stevens
Boulder, CO

Save a #0.5 Camalot for the top of the flake! This felt hard for Thunder Ridge 11a, but it could have been the foothold decomposing underfoot at the crux. With more traffic, this will clean up nicely! Oct 21, 2017

Lisa Montgomery
Golden, CO

5.11b PG13

Rack recommendation (this might be heavy for some): doubles green Alien - #1, 1 x #2. Save (in order) for top of flake: #2, #1, and #0.5.

Beware, short people - I'm 5'7" and couldn't reach to clip the bolt from the top of the flake. This made things a little dicey for me, as I had to step right onto the slabby face and clip precariously. Next time, I'll bring my "cheater/stiffy draw" to make the clip from the good stance. Nonetheless, I highly recommend this route. Apr 16, 2019