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Routes in Spearhead
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Spearhead, Chiefshead, Pagoda, Long's Traverse T 5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b |
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Humdinger T 5.10+ 6b+ 21 VII+ 20 E3 5b |
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Prowess T 5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a PG13 |
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East Prow T 5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a |
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Age Axe T 5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b |
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Stone Monkey T 5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a |
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Three Stoners T 5.11a/b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c PG13 |
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All Two Obvious T 5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a R |
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Obviously Four Believers T 5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c |
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Spear Me the Details T 5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a |
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Sykes' Sickle T 5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a |
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Ten Essentials, The T 5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c |
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Kingfisher, The T 5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a PG13 |
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Barb, The T 5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b |
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North Ridge T 5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b |
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| Type: | Trad, Alpine, 7 pitches, Grade II |
| FA: | Pete Soby, Charles Schobinger, 1958 (from Gillett)? |
| Page Views: | 90,968 total · 307/month |
| Shared By: | Patrick Vernon on Dec 31, 2000 |
| Admins: | Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monty, Monomaniac, Tyler KC |
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Access Issue: Closures
Details
Seasonal closures Feb. 15-July 31. Per the Denver Post:, the Cathedral Wall and all areas above the Loch Vale-Sky Pond Trail are closed to off-trail travel! Per this RMNP website, "Initial closures now occur in Feb. 15 and April, when raptors return to the region and scout for nesting sites. Areas containing general habitat preferred by raptors are closed during this time. Once raptors have selected nesting spots, the initial closures are lifted or adjusted. The specific areas which raptors choose for nesting sites are closed."
For additional information about raptor closures, please visit the Rocky Mountain National Parks area closures website.
General NPS climbing regulations for RMNP posted here.
For additional information about raptor closures, please visit the Rocky Mountain National Parks area closures website.
General NPS climbing regulations for RMNP posted here.
Description
The North Ridge is a good beginner alpine route. The first half is forgettable, but the last two pitches are perfect for their grade. Stay to the left of the ridge to find the last two pitches.
Expect 6-8 pitches depending on your rope, your belay spots.
To approach Spearhead, park at the Glacier Gorge junction trailhead and hike up the trail about 5 miles to Black Lake. From there, head east up an unmarked trail to tree-line, then contour over to the base of Spearheads NE face. The North Ridge route begins at the NW corner of the mountain. Be careful to chose the correct line at the start; parties have gotten off-route here onto much more difficult terrain. Look for a pronounced groove above a slab near the highest point of ground.
Climb up poorly protected slab to the base of the slot, then pull huge jugs up the left side of the slot with good pro. Continue up easier grooves and slabs for several hundred feet, angling to the left. At that point you should reach the very crest of the ridge, and the prominent flake/pillar of the Barb should be visible down and to your left. These initial pitches are often simul-climbed, but most parties rope up here.
Climb a shallow corner on beautiful rock right of the crest, traverse somewhat right and head up more cracks and corners to a belay (5.6). The final pitch head for an awkward, acute dihedral, also 5.6. The route-finding can be confusing on the upper ridge, although many lines are climbable. Mountaineering judgment is essential. The summit, a short scramble up to your left, is absolutely spectacular and totally worth a visit if the weather is good. Descend significantly to the southwest, to avoid getting cliffed, down slabs and scree until you can contour around to the base of the climb.
Expect 6-8 pitches depending on your rope, your belay spots.
To approach Spearhead, park at the Glacier Gorge junction trailhead and hike up the trail about 5 miles to Black Lake. From there, head east up an unmarked trail to tree-line, then contour over to the base of Spearheads NE face. The North Ridge route begins at the NW corner of the mountain. Be careful to chose the correct line at the start; parties have gotten off-route here onto much more difficult terrain. Look for a pronounced groove above a slab near the highest point of ground.
Climb up poorly protected slab to the base of the slot, then pull huge jugs up the left side of the slot with good pro. Continue up easier grooves and slabs for several hundred feet, angling to the left. At that point you should reach the very crest of the ridge, and the prominent flake/pillar of the Barb should be visible down and to your left. These initial pitches are often simul-climbed, but most parties rope up here.
Climb a shallow corner on beautiful rock right of the crest, traverse somewhat right and head up more cracks and corners to a belay (5.6). The final pitch head for an awkward, acute dihedral, also 5.6. The route-finding can be confusing on the upper ridge, although many lines are climbable. Mountaineering judgment is essential. The summit, a short scramble up to your left, is absolutely spectacular and totally worth a visit if the weather is good. Descend significantly to the southwest, to avoid getting cliffed, down slabs and scree until you can contour around to the base of the climb.
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