Astro Tower & Group Half Mt., Glacier Gorge, RMNP  Photos:  Recent | Best | Popular Elevation:  11,482' Page Views:  294. Good page?    Administrators:  Ben Mottinger, Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monomaniac, Tom Erickson Submitted By:  s.kimball on Jan 22, 2012 Make this area a Favorite What's New   Print a Mini-Guide with routes Add Route  Add Photo  Add Comment  Add Event  Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon 63° | 43° 72° | 45° 72° | 43° 70° | 41° 70° | 43°

BETA PHOTO: Astro Tower, needs additions.

Description 

As a summit, Half Mt. is but a bump along the crest of Long's Peak/Glacier Gorge's NW ridge. Previously this was known only for the Astro Tower, the tallest of five formations seen to the east above popular Mill's Lake. Left of the Astro Tower is the Darkberry Buttress and to the tower's right is the Chronic Buttress. Astro Tower has only two recorded routes, Snively and Westbay's 1983 line and the Rossiter's Space Walk, of the same year. At least a half dozen have been added since then. The Darkberry has several FAs. The Chronic Buttress, is a 400 foot high, truncated rock of fine, glaciated granite. Three routes, including this chronicler's Secret Garden, a three pitch, pleasant 5.9+ a line up the buttress's left shoulder.

Getting There 

Gillett's 2001 RMNP Climber's Guide suggests a 1000 foot elevation gain from Mill's Lake. I would double down on that once quoted as the worst approach hike ever: this daunting bushwack angling around slabs and talus then through Krummholz forests took this party from the lake over three hours.

The Classics

Photos of Astro Tower & Group Half Mt., Glacier Gorge, RMNP Slideshow

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BETA PHOTO: FA, Astro Tower.	Astro Tower area by Scott Kimball.	Astro Tower and Half Mountain area by Scott Kimbal...