Compressor Route 

NOTE: "Compressor Route" is not the real name of this route. If the route setter would come forth with a name, I will be happy to post the FA's name for the route.

Route is a good one. Whoever bolted it did a nice job. However, it could have gone with about 4 or 5 less bolts. (Two bolts are near a very nice crack.) I had a chance to meet with the landowners, they are indeed some very nice people. Thankfully they are not the type of folk to have a knee jerk reaction about the many bolts now placed on their rock. They could have easily put up "no trespassing" signs. More time needs to be spent finding out about access issues before bolting and climbing. I am guilty of climbing this rock about 2 years ago.

Allen, I put the route up shortly before going in for hip surgery, at the end of July, 2007. It was done solo, ground up, and on the lead, and this has always generated more bolts than I would like myself. I ran it using a rope solo technique at the time. My estimate was that a 60 meter rope may not quite touch ground, I did it with a 70 meter line with no trouble. Pulling some bolts near natural placements is fine with me, in fact I drilled most of the holes long enough that the hangers can be removed, the bolts tapped in, and the hole patched. At the time I was completely unaware of the blue sling at the top of the crag (two bolts) or of the double bolt anchor at 100ft and right of where I started. As for the name: I didn't have one, so if you like The Compressor Route I won't complain.

Richard, thanks for the reply. After extensive conversations with the land owners, they told me they would leave the fate of the bolts to Kyle and I. Although I can't speak for Kyle, I think he and I are both ok just painting the hangers. When he reads this, he will probably comment. The owners told me that painting them would satisfy them. They like to sit on their front porch and look at the rocks that surround them. The glint of the bolt line was disturbing to them. I found the route very fun by the way. I have top roped the routes many times. For the future, I think the owners would allow more bolts as long as they are apart of the process which means only Aug and Sep every year, or an e-mail to them to discuss it. What did you think the route was rated? I wasn't sure if you should stay right of the bolts or hit them directly on the start. Again, thanks for the reply, if you change your mind about the name let me know. Hope the hip is ok. Allen

Hi Allen, painting the hangers is a fine idea. As I indicated before, I really have no trouble pulling a bolt where we can find good gear. If my surgery had not come up so quickly, I was planning on running through it again with this in mind as well as brushing it up a bit. As far as climbing it goes, I was trying to stay on the bolt line and away from the easier climbing out right. However, forcing a line may simply be pointless. I thought the rock straight up was nicer, but people will do what they find most appealing and that will dictate the grade. The ownership issue may be a bit uncertain. The crag itself may well fall within the easement owned by CDOT or the city. Regardless, consideration for the local resident's concerns is a higher priority.