Ruper w/ Rover var.

Indian Summer anyone?! Up until a week ago we were climbing in shorts and a T-shirt. These pictures are from our afternoon jaunt up one of the most famous 5.8 climbs at Eldorado Canyon. Marissa and I climbed the lower half of this 4-5 Pitch gem a few months back but ran out of daylight and bailed from the upper ramp.

We beat two other parties to the base of the climb and spotted one party already on the route - it was going to be a waiting game but we reveled in the chance to meet some new people. It's always nice to have others around in case things don't go according to plan.

First Pitch - actually the start to Grand Giraffe

Nice semi-awkward finger crack - depends on finger size - it was tips+ for me and full on fingers for M - she loved it! 

It was a little greasy but mellow overall.

 

M following with the pack...what an amazing woman!

 

Rover Variation

Ruper should be done at least twice: once by the Ruper crack and once by the Rover variation. Rover is much more direct and although harder, is very manageable for the 5.9 Eldo climber. 

Pitch off the upper ramp.

This is probably the top 5 pitches of 5.7 I have ever done. Steep, buckets, great pro, varied movement and did I mention it's 170 feet long? Get on it!

The raps went off without a hitch. Do the Chockstone gully rap up to climbers left and then head down the Vertigo raps. We met another party who had just finished the Italian Arete and were able to combine ropes to double rap to the walk off.

What a great afternoon!