Type: | Trad, 140 ft (42 m) |
FA: | Maurice Reed, Hill, Saure, 1983 |
Page Views: | 5,720 total · 20/month |
Shared By: | Steve Levin on Dec 31, 2000 · Updates |
Admins: | Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monty, Monomaniac, Tyler KC |
The Cathedral Spires area, including Block Tower, Cynical Pinnacle, Snake Buttress, the Dome, Hall of Mirrors, Sunshine Wall, and Poe Buttress, are closed annually starting March 1 for raptor nesting. After careful monitoring of nest sites, Jefferson County Open Space opens certain areas of Cathedral Spires and maintain spot closures for active nests through July 31st. Check back periodically during times of closure for updates: jeffco.us/open-space/parks/…
Note, JeffCo Open Space has notified us that access to The Bishop and Poop Point (along with all the Cathedral Spires Area) currently goes across JeffCo OS land. Despite information in some guidebooks (published or soon-to-be-published), the entire Cathedral Spires area is subject raptor nesting closures. Please be aware of the hefty fines associated with failure to observe these regulations.
Description
The Maelstrom is a classic Front Range wide crack.
The Maelstrom lies on Poe Buttress, between Cynical Pinnacle/Block Tower and the Sunshine Wall. Approach as you would Cynical Pinnacle, but veer up and left below the big boulder jumble below the cliffs. Plan on 45 minutes. If you are at the Sunshine Wall, it can also be approached from there, but this is a bit longer. This route is closed Feb-July for birds. The climbing starts out chimney to OW, with gear for the first 50' is sporadic. Higher, the climbing gets harder, sustained heel-toe, with an arm-bar crux 3/4 of the way up. Rap 140 feet from bolts & chains.
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