Tourists meandering to Boulder Falls beyond us seemed to move with a distinct lack of purpose. Sarah yelling for slack cut me away from the dull overwhelming lull of noise emanating from Boulder Creek below. For a second I was almost relaxed enough to nap, even despite the slight hanging position I was sitting in at the second belay on our way up Tonnere Tower in Boulder Canyon. We had considered climbing this jutting formation within BoCan many times before, as each time we’d whizz by on our way to Nip and Tuck, Sports Park, anywhere else, the dominating position it took above the hustle and bustle of the Boulder Falls lot cut through the normality of stopping your car simply to gander at water falling down. Each time we’d considered it though, as if guided by fate, weather moved in, or there was someone on the route we’d wished to do already. This time was different. The summit was clear. The sky was a nice hue of deep blue in the mid-May sun. It was a Monday. There was no spec...
Amongst almost all of the fantastic and world class areas that Colorado has to offer, few compare in the density, variety, and overall ease of access as Boulder Canyon. Though, it should be acknowledged, being a few minutes drive outside of one of the meccas of North American climbing doesn’t hurt. As the canyon’s name suggests, Boulder Canyon sits directly west of the heart of Boulder, Colorado. Giving quick access to the towns of Nederland and Allenspark deeper in the foothills, and allowing for quick access to the Indian Peaks, Boulder Canyon has been trafficked almost as long as Colorado has had statehood. It has been the site of many great moments in climbing history. The first 5.11a to go free in Colorado (and debatably the United States) was climbed at the Castle Rock crag nestled in these hallowed walls, a “feat” performed by none other than Royal Robbins and Pat Ament, legends of the American climbing world. The cliffs and feeder canyons of this area have been explored...
Looming above Boulder, Colorado lies one of the best alpine training grounds the intermountain west has to offer. Seeing as the secret’s already out, and some of the best climbers in the country call Boulder home, I figured I’d throw in my 2 cents. Here goes my top 5 favorite Flatiron scrambles I've done so far. They are as follows: Second Flatiron via/Dodge Block (5.0 II) Second Flatiron via/Freeway (4th II) The Regency via/El Camino Royale (5.2 II) The Amoeboid via/Buckets (5.0) Der Zerkle via/Sunnyside Two (4th)-West Face (5.0) Honorable Mentions: Nebel Horn Via (5.0 II), Anomaly via/E Face (5.0), and Royal Arch via/E Face (5.0 II) 1. Dodge Block (5.0 II) Second Flatiron This one took the cake as my favorite scramble so far for three key reasons. First is the length. Nothing beats going the full stretch of one of the significant Flatiron formations. For being able to get this route done in less than a couple hours it really makes you feel like you’re climbing something much...