Suspender Man is easy to find. Hike east along the base of the cliff until you come to a huge slab of limestone leaning up against the main wall. Suspender Man tackles the back side of this slab. It's a fun (though short) route on cool overhanging pockets - and it's unbelieveably slippery. Very different from most of the stuff at the Dark Side, and definitely worth doing.
Protection
Can't remember if it's 4 or 5 bolts. I think it's 4. 2 bolt anchor at the top.
Don't let the rating Matt has palced on here fool you. It is harder than 5.11, I think it is solid 11c/d as the guide book states, an excellent route which is steeper than is looks from the ground. One of my favorites in the Dark Side. 3 Stars.
This thing is all of 11d...especially if you're a thin face techno-weenie like myself (and most Shelf climbers). This thing must have been really popular back in the day to have rock that polished. It's the most polished route I've seen at Shelf! Really good rock, though and a cool crux.
By erikwellborn From: manitou springs Aug 11, 2008
Fun route. Steep and polished, more like Rifle than Shelf. 11d seems pretty stout.
By Jeff Welch From: Lakewood, CO Aug 25, 2008 rating: 5.12a
Great route! A V4-ish boulder problem past the first two bolts leads into easier, but still steep and tough climbing. Definitely stiff for the grade... I wouldn't feel too bad calling it 5.12a, and this is my style. Might be harder if you're short. A stick clip is wise for the first bolt, and prehanging the draw on the second bolt makes that clip a lot less reachy.
By eric larson From: aurora, co Sep 29, 2008 rating: 5.11d
Once you figured out the beta on the reachy move, this felt pretty 11d. It's just very atypical of other Shelf routes.
Really fun route though...didn't feel THAT polished...lots of chalk yes, but the holds are big enough and positive enough that it didn't pose an issue.
The Dark Side
RSS Feed
