Fifth Flatiron
The pointy top of the 5th Flatiron as seen from the southwest. We used the climbers trail that goes from the Royal Arch up past the south side of the 5th Flatiron to access The Fist.
Two obscure Flatiron climbs (5.5 - 5.6)
The pointy top of the 5th Flatiron as seen from the southwest. We used the climbers trail that goes from the Royal Arch up past the south side of the 5th Flatiron to access The Fist.
Dominic leading up the east face of The Fist on typical Flatiron terrain - easy 5th class but quite runout. The overhang above him is the crux of the route.
Dominic tackling the fun 5.5 crux. A nice arm-width crack runs up through the overhang.
Kevin climbing above the crux toward the summit of The Fist.
Kevin finishing up the final pitch. From here the summit is a 30 second scramble away. On this ledge we were happy to find a rappel anchor made from 20 - 30 feet of new webbing and two rappel rings. If I did this climb again I'd bring along a lot of webbing in case older webbing needs to be backed up. Other eascape options involve some amount of 5th class downclimbing.
After rappelling down the north side of The Fist we bushwhacked over to the base of Schmoe's Nose and began scrambling up the east face.
The first roped pitch on the east face of Schmoe's Nose. From this angle we're looking up at the nose from underneath. The left and right nostrils are obvious. We headed from the one on the right.
Dominic setting up a belay in the north nostril. With our 50 meter rope he wasn't quite able to reach the huge belay ledge just above it. There were good gear placements in the nostril but it was a hanging belay.
Dominic investigating protection opportunities in the boogers, several large boulders that are wedged into the nostril.
Dominic attempting the booger crux which requires pulling up over an overhanging booger and squeezing through a narrow slot. Roach gives this a 5.6 rating but it is one of the most awkward moves I've ever made.
Dominic's first attempt failed when he realized there was no way through the slot with his pack on. His second attempt failed when he realized his camera and all of the gear was also too much of a hindrance. He found success on his third attempt. Notice that he has ended up on his back with his feet in the air! This whole ordeal was extremely comical, especially since there was no chance of any harm coming to him.
The Fist, Bear Peak and South Boulder Peak from high on Schmoe's Nose.
Dominic belays Kevin from the top of Schmoe's Nose.
Kevin rappelling from Schmoe's Nose.