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Yucca Flower Tower Rope Solo

Original Post
Andrew Krueger · · Colorado Springs, Colorado · Joined Apr 2012 · Points: 10

Hi,

What length continuous strand would one need to rope solo this route/formation? I am in the area working and would like to courteously (on a weekday with no sign of other parties) rap and rope solo the route, or another route of similar character with access from the top. I have about a 450' static line but my next longer one is 1200' (yes, I work on cell towers).

Thanks,
Andrew

Gary Lee Hicks · · Unknown Hometown · Joined May 2015 · Points: 12
Andrew Krueger wrote:Hi, What length continuous strand would one need to rope solo this route/formation? I am in the area working and would like to courteously (on a weekday with no sign of other parties) rap and rope solo the route, or another route of similar character with access from the top. I have about a 450' static line but my next longer one is 1200' (yes, I work on cell towers). Thanks, Andrew
Andrew,,, don't be stupid. People die in the Sandia Mountains. I should know cuz I've nearly died there (many close calls).
If you don't do your homework to scope out a climb and then go make your attempt at it,,, in all likely hood you'll be singing w the angles pretty damn quick.

I am familiar with "Echo Canyon" seeing as it was Gordon Darbro and I that gave it it's name.
This time of year,,, you'll be lucky if the stinging knettles don't teach you how not to be so ambitious.
It's a major bush whack to where you are talking of going.

BTW,,, "static line"??? Be sure you wear a helmet !!!

In all of the climbs I've done since 1971, including all of my own roped-solos,,, I've never used more than two 9 mm 165 foot ropes. That may be old school,,, but really... who wants to carry more weight than that??? ALSO; they were made of PERLON... not static caving ropes.

Really, 1200 feet??? I could use a new job. What's the pay like??? :o)
mattb19 · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jan 2007 · Points: 250
Andrew Krueger wrote:Hi, What length continuous strand would one need to rope solo this route/formation? I am in the area working and would like to courteously (on a weekday with no sign of other parties) rap and rope solo the route, or another route of similar character with access from the top. I have about a 450' static line but my next longer one is 1200' (yes, I work on cell towers). Thanks, Andrew
So 450ft will get you down on the Yucca formation but you still need to get to the top of that formation. The standard way down is to rap Great Escape and make your way over to the top of Yucca. I would say tr solo great escape and the climbs to the right. It would just make for an easier day and you could double your rope up to make a more legit TR solo setup.

I have been down in Echo a lot over the last few weeks and the bush wack right now isn't bad at all. Plus you are talking about the top of the features which there is no bush wack at all.

I'd say find a partner and keep things simpler but again TR soloing can be a great and easy work out.
Bill M · · Fort Collins, CO · Joined Jun 2010 · Points: 317

My advice is check the route when you rap and maybe put in a few directional pieces. If I remember correctly the easier line is right a ways from where the rap ends up.

Gary Lee Hicks · · Unknown Hometown · Joined May 2015 · Points: 12
Gary Lee Hicks wrote: Andrew,,, don't be stupid. People die in the Sandia Mountains. I should know cuz I've nearly died there (many close calls). If you don't do your homework to scope out a climb and then go make your attempt at it,,, in all likely hood you'll be singing w the angles pretty damn quick. I am familiar with "Echo Canyon" seeing as it was Gordon Darbro and I that gave it it's name. This time of year,,, you'll be lucky if the stinging knettles don't teach you how not to be so ambitious. It's a major bush whack to where you are talking of going. BTW,,, "static line"??? Be sure you wear a helmet !!! In all of the climbs I've done since 1971, including all of my own roped-solos,,, I've never used more than two 9 mm 165 foot ropes. That may be old school,,, but really... who wants to carry more weight than that??? ALSO; they were made of PERLON... not static caving ropes. Really, 1200 feet??? I could use a new job. What's the pay like??? :o)
Andrew,,, I'm just finding out you were not the person who has died climbing and I left the above 'quote' to.
I suppose you have heard a climber has died just in the past few days. He was attempting to do what you are proposing.

Allow me , as an "Old timer", to give you a word of advice; "Learn how to pray,,, and forgive everyone you ever hated, right before you expect to die. "
These are not easy tasks, but... if you only knew how many times I have nearly been killed...

... let me just tell you one story [ dah! Only One !!! :oP ]

... one day I was hiking below the Shield in the Sandias and I heard a swooshing sound, like falling rocks.
I looked up and saw two black dots coming right at me, and then I fell to my knees.

It turned out to be two ravens diving towards me from two thousand feet.

If you think that's a story,,, try having "swifts" fly past you at the speed of sound as you're trying to traverse a ridge and the sun is setting.
Have you ever heard of my climb called "Oozing Swiftly" ?

Just asking.
Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Arizona & New Mexico
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