All Locations > Colorado > Boulder > Flatirons > North > Fist or Hippo Head

South Ridge

Name: South Ridge
Rating: 2.9

5.6 YDS 4c French 14 Ewbanks V UIAA 12 ZA S 4b British

Routes in The Fist or Hippo Head

	East Face/Hippo Head T 5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b
	North Face T 5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
	South Ramp T 5.5 4b 13 IV+ 11 MS 4a
	South Ramp Left Variation T 5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b X
	South Ridge T 5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b

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Type:	Trad, 650 ft (197 m), 4 pitches
FA:	unknown
Page Views:	2,533 total · 9/month
Shared By:	George Bell on Jun 13, 2001
Admins:	Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monty, Monomaniac, Tyler KC Page Updates (admin only)

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Access Issue: 2024 Crag Closures & Temporary Trail and Raptor Closures Details

The usual crags are closed for climbing for raptor nesting:

See: bouldercolorado.gov/service….

Click here for the trail closures. Some are M-F, some are 24/7. These impact the Bear Canyon/Fern Canyon regions primarily:

flatironsclimbing.org/tempo…

Click here bouldercolorado.gov/service… for the latest in raptor closures.

Description

This route climbs the long 650' south ridge of the Fist. Climb a vague crack around the right side of the ridge to get started, but you can then climb quite close to the arete itself (this section of the route is somewhat runout). When you reach a difficult headwall, move right (north) on a ledge system, aiming for a hand crack which breaches the middle of the upper east face.

You can belay at a tree at the base of the crack. Climb this fun, easy hand crack to the summit area. The summit block itself is easily climbed on the east side.

To escape the summit, rappel 50 feet to the North from the ledge below the summit block. It is recommended to bring some 10 feet of webbing in case you have to set up the rappel around the huge rock horn.

Per akanatokiek: update: there is a two bolt rappel anchor on the northwest corner of the summit block. The overhanging rappel will get you easily to the ground with a single 60m rope.