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Showing posts from July, 2017

Burning a Joker on All too Obvious - Spearhead- COLORADO USA

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Back in the valley for a visit to Spearhead, this time to try and climb a slightly more difficult route than last time. All too Obvious, 5.11 R is a beautiful line that goes more or less up the middle of the wall. The route weaves in and out of crack systems with technical face climbing, sometimes a little bit run-out but never dangerous. One could compare the style of the climbing to Middle Cathedral in Yosemite Valley, the route Stoner's Highway comes to mind. My partner Mark Ferguson and I planned on staying up at the bivouac site for two nights. A quick stop at the backcountry office at the park entrance to collect the permit and we are off on the 2+ hour trek it takes to reach the wall. Gorgeous weather welcomed us into the valley as we began our afternoon approach but as is common in the alpine the afternoon gave way to threatening clouds. Hiking into an area you must go into the experience with a "no expectations" attitude. Rain, lightning, altitude sickness are ...