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Sharkstooth RMNP descent question

Original Post
Jim Fox · · Westminster, CO · Joined Jun 2014 · Points: 50

I'm planning to climb the NE Face of Sharkstooth this weekend and am a little confused about the descent. I see widely varying reports of tf the lengths of the raps and I'm uncertain what to take. I was planning to take a 60m rope and a 50m tag line. Is this sufficient to rap down without major difficulties? Will a singfle 70m work?
I'd love to hear from anyone that has been there recently. Thanks

John Ryan · · Poncha Springs, CO · Joined Aug 2012 · Points: 170

Jim - there are widely varying reports on the raps because there are numerous makeshift anchors on the descent. Proper rap stations would help clean up this mess. There are also numerous bail anchors on the ascent. The 3 piton anchor 20 feet down from the summit is the only established/permanent anchor I saw in 2014. I have no idea if one 70 m would work with existing "anchors". We took 2 70's and got down in 2 raps with a little easy down climbing.

Jim Fox · · Westminster, CO · Joined Jun 2014 · Points: 50
John Ryan wrote:Jim - there are widely varying reports on the raps because there are numerous makeshift anchors on the descent. Proper rap stations would help clean up this mess. There are also numerous bail anchors on the ascent. The 3 piton anchor 20 feet down from the summit is the only established/permanent anchor I saw in 2014. I have no idea if one 70 m would work with existing "anchors". We took 2 70's and got down in 2 raps with a little easy down climbing.
Thanks.
Tim Stich · · Colorado Springs, Colorado · Joined Jan 2001 · Points: 1,520

A single 70 is more than adequate to rap into the saddle between Sharkstooth and the Petit. That's also a low 5th route to the top as well, but I don't think many people opt to summit this way. I don't think it is more than four raps.

Jim Fox · · Westminster, CO · Joined Jun 2014 · Points: 50
Stich wrote:A single 70 is more than adequate to rap into the saddle between Sharkstooth and the Petit. That's also a low 5th route to the top as well, but I don't think many people opt to summit this way. I don't think it is more than four raps.
Thanks. Guess I'll take a single 70m and a few pices of sling and some bail biners just in case. Sounds like the descent could be downclimbed if necessary.
Kevin Corrigan · · Boulder, CO · Joined Jun 2013 · Points: 0

Hi Jim, I climbed the route last month. We descended in 3 raps with 60 meter rope and a tag line. The rap stations aren't permanent, but they're pretty well established.

Jim Fox · · Westminster, CO · Joined Jun 2014 · Points: 50
Kevin Corrigan wrote:Hi Jim, I climbed the route last month. We descended in 3 raps with 60 meter rope and a tag line. The rap stations aren't permanent, but they're pretty well established.
Thanks. Is a 50m tagline long enough or do I need a 60m?
Kevin Corrigan · · Boulder, CO · Joined Jun 2013 · Points: 0

I think our's was a 60. Honestly I don't remember the descent perfectly because it was a long day out. Rapping on two 60 meter lines got us from anchor to anchor. Shorter than that I think could be done with a little scrambling on easier terrain in between.

Dylan Cousins · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Apr 2010 · Points: 156

You can easily rap with a single 60m rope. This will involve some walking/ very easy down climbing to get from the end of the 1st rap to the top of the 2nd one. After the last rap, you will have to make some very easy (3rd class - easy enough to face out) downclimbing moves.

Did this earlier this season.

Kiul · · Wheat Ridge · Joined Apr 2010 · Points: 15

I agree with Dylan.. 60m and a watchful eye for stations is all you need.

Jim Fox · · Westminster, CO · Joined Jun 2014 · Points: 50

Thanks to all who replied.
Think I'll just take a single 70m rope & figure out how to get down.

That's a long hike in and I don't want to carry too much weight. Plus carrying two ropes for 2 people is always a bit of a PIA.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Colorado
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