Third Flatiron

Back on October 15th Marissa and I headed up the Third Flatiron. We did the College Dropout aka East Face North Side route. Mountain Project calls it 5.7 but Marissa and I both agreed there was maybe one very well protected 5.7 move.

We planned on doing the standard East Face route but saw that it was jammed pack with slow moving parties. The party that started off just as we did had a brilliant exchange higher up on the route:

The leader, who was clearly the more experienced of the two, was about a full ropes length out, in the middle of terrain in which he looked a tad bit uncomfortable, when his belayer first informed him of the status of the remaining rope.

The belayer yelled, "Three more feet!" To which the leader responded, "What! Why didn't you tell me sooner!!!" The leader had hoped to get to a ledge about 20ft above him, but it was not be. The leader frantically looked for a place for gear to set up a belay but realizing he had to down climb to a safer ledge cautioned his inexperienced partner not to "pull" him off the rock.

The two made it safely up and off the rock but they certainly provided us with some entertainment.

Here is M in the P-lot where we found some friends to keep us company:


My beautiful wife on a beautiful Fall (Indian Summer) day:


Looking over at the First Flatiron. I soloed this the next week via the Direct Route. The downclimb was very simple so no need to bring a rope to rap.

Climb underneath the rappel anchors about 20ft down working left on jugs, then work your way down and left on huge holds and then back down to the right when you reach the dead tree.


Easy, fun, and with creative nut placements, quite safe.


M leading the last pitch to the summit. She cruised it...pry the most delicate section of the climb, little to no pro and a tad bit exposed. Good thing she lead it!


Her look at the top as she searches for a place to build an anchor.


Marissa rapping off the summit. We hit bumper to bumper rappel traffic at the next station and decided to find our own way down. If you go skiers left through a cave you will find an eye bolt. Rap this with a 70m, aiming climber right, to a ledge and work your way over to a rock horn. Throw the rope over the horn and rap to the ground. Climb back up to the descent trail above you.


Most dangerous section of the climb. This was boulder hoppy on an well established trail but ripe for the twisting of a knee or ankle.


All smiles, beating the setting sun with just enough time to meet friends for a round of Disc Golf.