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Elevation: 6,271 ft
GPS: 40.19871, -105.33055
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 36,554 total · 129/month
Shared By: Richard M. Wright on Dec 31, 2000 · Updates
Admins: Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monty, Monomaniac, Tyler KC
Warning Access Issue: MM 23-29.5 - now ended daily CO 7 highway closure/delays DetailsDrop down

Description Suggest change

The December Wall is a large, South-facing rock band situated about 800 feet above the road in SSV Canyon on the North side of the road. The cliff can be logically divided into two sectors. The left 500 feet of the cliff holds numerous older trad lines running in grade from 5.8 to 5.10+. The right hand side consists of a small, steep sector containing only half a dozen routes. It is formed by the alcove composed of blonde colored rock, steep and on the right. All of the new routes here were put in by Mike Freischlag 4 years ago. The climbing on both sectors is a bit hit-or-miss inasmuch as quality varies substantially from pitch to pitch. Some of it can be truly chossy with excessive surface exfoliation. On the other hand, some of the granite is excellent. I did a Freischlag route several years ago that was truly superb, but the route immediately adjacent was not on such fine stone (sorry, Mike). Both sectors get terrific sun and can be climbed most of the year.

Getting There Suggest change

From the intersection in Lyons, head up CO 7 along SSV canyon for 4.3 miles where a large parking area starts. The wall is the large, obvious hulk well above the canyon bottom.  Walk downstream 100' from the parking lot, and look for the steep, loose "trail" across the road.  Bushwhacking might be easier.

L->R:

Suggest change
Per Jay Eggleston:

Below?
A. Crown Molding, 9, 1p, 80', gear.
B. Door Jam, 9-, 1p, 40', gear.

December Wall
A? Moonstruck, 8, 1p, 80', bolts.
B. Seams Alright, 10+, 1p, gear.
C. Mnemonic Plague, 9, 1p, 80', gear.
D. I Promise Not To Cam In Your Mouth, 10-, 2p, gear.
E. Red Tag , 11+, 1p, 85', gear & bolts.
F. Arborvitae, 10, 2p, 145', gear.
above F. ??, 11, 2p, 145', gear.
G? Great Tree Route.
H. Short Takes, 10, 2p, 300', gear.
I. Nocturne, 10, 2p, 200', gear & bolts.
J. ??, 10, 1p, 95', bolts & gear.
K. Caesar's, 10-, 2p, gear.
L. A Long December, 11-, 3p, 200', gear.
M. Ranklands of Perfidy, 9, 1p, 120', gear.
N. Life After James , 11-, 3p, 220', bolts.
ON. Climb of the Anonymous Coward (Var), 11, 1p, 70', bolts.
O. Telegraph Road, 11, 2p, bolts.
P. Winter Dreams, 10, 250', 3p, gear & bolts.

Poison Ivy alert

Suggest change

Per Doug Haller: there is lots of poison ivy all year round!

24 Total Climbs

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Location: December Wall Change
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Classic Climbing Routes at December Wall

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a
 32
I Promise Not To Cam In Your Mouth
Trad 2 pitches
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a
 34
Mnemonic Plague
Trad
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b
 27
Caesar's
Trad 2 pitches
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
 17
Winter Dreams / Gene and George'…
Trad, Sport 3 pitches
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
 20
Nocturne
Trad, Sport 2 pitches
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
 14
Arborvitae
Trad 2 pitches
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c
 19
A Long December
Trad 3 pitches
5.11- 6c 22 VIII- 22 E3 5c
 6
Climb of the Anonymous Coward (Var)
Sport
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c
 42
Life After James
Sport 3 pitches
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c
 15
Telegraph Road
Sport 2 pitches
5.11+ 7a 24 VIII 24 E4 6a
 5
The Road Goes Ever On
Trad 2 pitches
5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a
 8
Red Tag
Trad, Sport
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
I Promise Not To Cam In You…
 32
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a Trad 2 pitches
Mnemonic Plague
 34
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a Trad
Caesar's
 27
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b Trad 2 pitches
Winter Dreams / Gene and Ge…
 17
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b Trad, Sport 3 pitches
Nocturne
 20
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b Trad, Sport 2 pitches
Arborvitae
 14
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b Trad 2 pitches
A Long December
 19
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c Trad 3 pitches
Climb of the Anonymous Cowa…
 6
5.11- 6c 22 VIII- 22 E3 5c Sport
Life After James
 42
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c Sport 3 pitches
Telegraph Road
 15
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c Sport 2 pitches
The Road Goes Ever On
 5
5.11+ 7a 24 VIII 24 E4 6a Trad 2 pitches
Red Tag
 8
5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a Trad, Sport
More Classic Climbs in December Wall »

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