Public Solitude 

This route, I think, was bolted by Rich Purnell in 2000.

Confirmed. Rich bolted this route last year just about the time ice climbing in Vail was taking off. I know he had only a small window of time in which to send it before the comps and before running up to Vail to slap in some of the hardest mixed routes in the state. From what I know of him, Rich Purnell is a pretty rad fellow, so my bet is that probably put it away last year. Regardless, his name for the route still sticks: "Public Solitude".

Hey Peter, the route's name is Public Solitude. It took 3 days to bolt and $50. So, if you want to buy the name, just let me know.

As I said, the name was suggested. It seemed to fit in well between Killer Pillar and Sucking my Will to Live. Rich, did you redpoint it first? I was told it was up for grabs.

I don't know how anyone else will view this, however, I personally believe that the naming goes to the FA party that saw the line, cleaned it, bolted it (or not as the case may be), and led it. Whether or not they got the FFA. The reason for this stance is that it is often possible for for the FA team to have finished the labor and have someone else jump in and grab the FFA, regardless of whether the FA team could or could not do the route. More often than not timing is the central issue. As an example, Tod Anderson and I had finished getting Y2K put in and bailed for the evening. I did not like the anchor placement, which I had installed one year previously, discussed this with Tod, and we agreed that the anchor belonged at the lip. I returned the next day, droppped the anchor (a non trivial task I may add) and had to leave for the evening. While I was getting my stuff assembled, Steve Landin put it away. I think Tod got the second ascent as soon as he had a chance to get back. This places no negative connotation on Steve, he just did the route. However, his having gotten there ahead of us did not diminish what we had done: find the line, put in the anchor system, TR as much as possible, clean it, bolt it (entirely at our expense), and finally lead it. I see Public Solitude as Rich's route with Peter snagging the FFA. This was not an abondoned project or a botch job that needed fixing, Rich just happened to have a lot on his plate at the time.

While not meaning to disagree with Nelson and Wright, how long does someone get to reserve a route, particularly an obvious line which many people have considered bolting?

Peter raises a fair consideration. Personally, I believe that for an existing bolted line, it is incumbent on the person wanting to try the FFA to discuss this with the FA team. If they can't be found and the route is not red tagged, then it should be open to anyone wishing to give it a try. However, this carries the caveat that one does not really "own" anything more than a free ascent, should things go that way. How, for example, would anyone know who snagged the FFA of any route without some searching? For Public Solitude, Rich still holds the right of naming and authorship. Had it been red tagged, which it was not, then that would indicate his interest in securing the FFA. Sometimes the FFA simply doesn't matter, for other routes it is more significant. If Rich gets a second ascent instead of a first ascent, does this have any significance what so ever? And in what way would it diminish what he has done?

Here is an amusing reflection. The guides from Italy, Spain, and Slovenia routinely cite the "equiper" of a new route and the "re-equiper". In all cases that I encountered, the name of the route was never changed, even when its first equipping was botch job. About the only time they would cite the FFA person or team was when the route was on the cutting edge. FFA of 5.13 at La Mussara, for example, was a big deal and you can find the FFA team listed; ditto 5.14. On average, the FFA is hard to find outside of France. We're just a bit more self-important in the USA.

Personally I would like it if equippers left a small piece of athletic tape with info written on it with permanent marker, maybe attached to the first bolt hanger so it's clear who's responsible for the bolts, cleaning etc. The Front Range climbing scene is very fragmented right now and communication is poor between climbers, even in the same city. I would also like to see a renewed emphasis on finding hard lines to push back the standard which for most of the crags is around 13b or c, 13d tops.The sort of chipping that plagues parts of Boulder Canyon doesn't help. If you see a line that might go, spread the word. It's the only way for climbing to move forward.

Right-on Peter!! If only some of us with the will were not so damn old. As someone over 50, I am always looking downstream two generations hoping to see a flock of Chris Sharmas or Chris Lindners heading our way....

I really didn't mean to open a can of worms on this. The story goes as follows: I bolted the line in the fall gave it a "couple" of gos. The ice season happened upon the state very early that year. What else to do but hang up the boots and pick up the axes. When I bolt a route I usually take the first hanger off to depict a "working" route. Well, later in the season a friend told me that someone was working the route. To prevent that person from hurting themselves while cliping the second bolt "as the first", I took it upon myself to replace the first hanger. I suppose that gave up my FA, and I knew that.... I honestly don't care who got the FA,, and am glad someone did. It's nice to see people climbing the routes I put up. Just to let you know-- I did all the moves and cleaned everything that needed to be cleaned for my style of climbing. Surely the work it takes to clean a route and the money and time it takes to place bolts gives that person the authority to name the given route.

Fantastic route that involves good balance and focus. This route is very unique from the rest of the wall, with continuous, deceptively difficult climbing. It seems like there's a few ways to do the final groove, but the crux boils down to some specific moves.

I have to agree that this is another three star primo route, but in a very different way from the rest of the wall. The fourth bolt was very difficult to clip for me, until I found a pretty good crimp up high and right of the bolt. So, just bump that right hand twice if you find yourself stuck at the left hand pinch with no way to clip. All-in-all its another amazing primo 13.

Incredible, sustained, and pumpy route. I accidently broke that second crimp that you bump to clip the fourth from. But, actually, it's a little bigger now. Not that it makes the route any easier, just more secure I guess.

This is a killer route replete w/ a hideously technical, low percentage series of crux moves followed by abstract 5.12 moves up a funky groove.

Has anyone linked this into Squeeze Play? Looks fun and more sustained.

Public Solitude is for sure the best of the grade at this wall. If you climb in this grade range, it should not be missed. Cool temps can really help. This climb is cryptic, so don't get discouraged- get after it!

I think it is around 13C, but not 13b. Could be hard for the grade at 13c, but would not give it 13d.

Got back on this hog today!! It's been about 10 years since I sent this line and it felt so much harder than I remember and it was hard even back in the old days when I was like 22-23 and much stronger. So much harder than 13b I think. More like 13c or really stiff 13b/c. Other 13b's don't compare to the crux on this little sweet hart. And clipping the bolt while pulling out of the 1st crux sequence was impossible. I needed a stick clip. Need-less to say I did not make it to the top, but I am still just in love with this line. I must train back up to its level. I think it's the best mid 13 in the canyon that I have done!!! Can't wait to send it again one day soon!!!