Bushes of Baelzebub 

Just did Bushes yesterday - at least the first pitch. We went LEFT above the second belay, not right, I think we were off route. But, not sure. Successful lead, but the hands, feet and pro got really scarce - lot's of friction. Place a weak nut that fell out as I climbed above it - oh well, nothing else to choose from. Great climb though, but wicked rope drag.

My Advice: Stay right, as the route description suggests - but left was a great challenge.

Hubbel's book is merely a guide for climbing this area and is a window into places that until recently I was unaware even existed. If you want to squabble over the parking lot was 1 mile or 1.2 miles thats your choice but I've found a multitude of new routes and climbing areas based on his book. Nobody's perfect not even you Mr. Anonymous Coward.

The left variation is a lot of fun albeit a little scary. If we are talking about the same thing, it follows a thin diagonaling seam out left to another crack system.

I used my nut tool to clean out a ton of pine needles and dirt (it seemed like it had never been done before at the time). After the gardening, I found good pro. The moves across the slab are great, but the next crack was pretty dirty and weird to protect (or maybe I was out of the right gear?) It felt like 9+ was valid.

I wonder how often this anonymous coward gets himself in trouble with his mouth. The guide book isn't that bad. It is rather useful for learning more of the many routes in the South Platte area. I am sure one day coward will get what he deserves

I placed a #4 Camalot on both pitches. A second #3 Camalot was nice to have for the anchor at the end of pitch 1. The route was fun, awkward at times, but definitely worthwhile. Two 60 meter ropes necessary for a single rap from the bolts to the left of P2.

Fun 2 pitch climb. The beginning section of the first pitch - don't fall. Just when you think you got sandbagged, these beautiful jugs just beckon you to keep going. I was never so happy to see a good set of jugs. The next section has a great crack system & other stuff to get you to the first belay (trad gear & with a stance for 2). At this point you will see the Motor Mouth anchor chain up and right. Either escaping up & down right or straight right (unprotected) is about 5.9.

For the second pitch, take the right crack & crank the crux; then move up & left to the anchor.

2 raps back down, don't use a 50m. A single 70m will run all the way to the second belay if the leader can fly through the first pitch. Please don't go near the house up top.

Agree that the larger cam is helpful protection, but not necessary to keep one handy for the belay.

Doesn't see near as much traffic as Classic, so it has better quality friction. If it just had better feet position.

Fun climb. First pitch eats up nuts. A #4 Camalot protected the short offwidth section on pitch two perfectly, and I used a red TCU to protect the upper crux. Didn't see the big loose block in the description. Climb seemed a bit slippery in spots.

Another fun route on the Bucksnort slabs. Start of the route in winter can be very interesting though, seeing as there has been ice for about the first 8 feet of the line. Start can also be wet in the summer but it isn't really a problem.


11/30/09 -- Did the left variation, definitely harder and sketchier than the right. Think it is .9+ - .10-. Piton right above what I thought was the crux. Pink tri-cam protects the crux well.

First ascent I believe was done by Dave and Chris Bell.

I was just told I'm wrong on this. Dave and Chris did the FA of "Out and About" Don't know off hand who did "Bushes"

Went left for pitch 2. Definitely a legitimate variation. Tricky gear. Felt like a .10 move or two on it. There's a very old piton that I couldn't resist clipping about 15 or 20 feet from the anchors. I also used a 4 twice on this (I pulled it out below me to reduce drag and was very happy about that at the crux right before the anchors).

Not to be overlooked!

I did this today for the first time in maybe fifteen years. What a great climb! Even wet. We only did the first pitch though. Anyhow a worthy crack with lots of varied types of moves.

Can be climbed as one pitch with a 60m rope, and judicious use of slings can minimize rope drag. Good pro throughout if you stay on route.

The OW crux felt like fair 5.8, but the awkward upper crux about 10m below the anchors felt kinda stiff for the grade. #11 hex protects the OW if you don't have a #4 cam.

Climbed the "1st pitch" then traversed about 15 ft right to chain anchors for the adjacent sport climb which Stewart Green's new Colorado guidebook says is 95 ft above the ground. I rappeled down from those anchors, but it was longer than 95 ft. I had a 70m rope and on rappel from the anchors and it just barely reached the ground. 60m would have come up significantly short.