PRINT: Rock Climb Rambo Santa, Estes Park Valley

Rambo Santa

5.7, Sport, 165 ft (50 m),

Avg: 2.8 from 95 votes
FA: Craig Luebben and Ginny Sawyer
Colorado > Estes Park Valley > Big Thompson Ca… > Combat Rock

Access Issue: Access issue - Monastery, Cedar Park, Combat Rock, etc. - open since 2023 Details

Update: per Bruce Hildenbrand: the area has been open since 2023.

Per JF M: as of May 2022, there is no signage on-site, nor information on the USFS webpage for the Cameron Peak Fire (nor on their published map of closures) that indicates the area is closed.

Per Bruce Hildenbrand: it appears that the Forest Service has closed access to all the climbing areas accessed via Storm Mountain Road (Monastery, Cedar Park, Combat Rock, etc.) until they can clear all the dangerous dead trees from the Cameron Peak fire.

I worked this issue with Eric Murdock at the AF, and it looks like the Forest Service picked Devil's Gulch Road as the southern boundary even though all the climbing areas on MP.com were not burned.

Description

This used to begin at a pine tree (now gone, not even a stump) about 40 feet down and right from "Arkansas Patriot." This on the left side of this rock. Go left from where the approach trail reaches the rock.

Now per Kurtz: hike left from where the approach trail(s) reaches the rock. Begin on the RIGHT side of a distinctive, protruding block that is shown in many of the pictures. The first bolt is kind of high but is easily reached. You can also place your own pro. Note that Arkansas Patriot (5.10) starts on the LEFT side of the block. Do not confuse the two.

This long climb is fairly simple to figure out... climb straight up through the bolts to a two bolt anchor. Remember to place pro in some horizontal cracks if the next bolt feels too far away. A double-rope rappel is easiest (165 feet), but it is possible to scramble down to the west (left).

Protection

If I remember correctly, there are 6 bolts on the face (don't worry, I know for sure that's there's no more than that!). Bring a few small cams (#0.5 and #0.75 Camalots) and stoppers to supplement the bolts if you aren't positive about a good distance between bolts on a 5.7. Two-bolt anchor 165 feet up, so bring TWO ROPES for the rap.

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

Leading out onto the final pitch of Diagonal from bolted belay of R.S.

Me approaching the anchor on Rambo Santa, Tracy on the ledge that is the start to Wonderin' Where the Lions Are. You can see all but the first 40 ft. of the route here and there aren't any bolts t…

Angie cruising up. Fun climb but terrifies me every time I lead it.

Even the kids can have fun TR'd on this route. 6 year old Alec enjoying the start.

Joel halfway up this fantastic route.

Getting started at the bottom of the route.

Christa near the top.

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

Mike Sofranko

Definitely take some cams if 5.7 is your limit. Regarded as kind of tricky and inobvious by some for 5.7.

You can rap with one rope if you angle over to the bolt anchor for Arkansas Patriot. Two single rope raps to the ground. May 22, 2001

Anonymous Coward

You can also rap with one rope to the ground if you angle hard to the west along a ledge system. I have done it several times. Oct 30, 2001

Neal Brigner

Nice route for the grade, but would advise to bring a mix of medium cams and nuts for between bolts. You can also rap the the Tree Roof belay with a 60 meter rope, just be careful of the rope hanging up on a knob about halfway up. Nov 13, 2001

jeff mcnair

Great route! Definitely enjoyed having small cams for this one. I think I placed two .5 Camalots (my favorite cam). Apr 10, 2002

Mike Epke
Denver, CO

Climbed this route for the second time yesterday and really enjoyed it. Great route to bring a relative beginner on for following. I believe that in addition to the bolts I placed a .75, 1, and 3.5 Camalots and a yellow Alien. Enjoy. Jun 9, 2003

Blake Collins

[Excellent] lead that keeps going, although 5.7 without small cams or protection the runout sections between bolts could scare the unprepared 5.7 leader. There are [plenty] of small slots to offer pro. Once at the anchors I lowered my belayer down, then rapped to the chains to the left and then rapped from those anchors. Someone without experience could run in to difficulties during the [descent]. Jul 16, 2003

Cale Csizmadi
Colorado Springs

From the anchor on Rambo Santa you can linkup with the last pitch of the Diagonal for a great 2-pitch romp with bolted belays and lots of fun. Dec 20, 2004

Gary Schmidt
Boulder, CO

A climb worth doing. Bolts thoughtfully placed and protects well with additional trad if you so desire. Point of clairification. The "pine tree" mentioned for the base of the route is dead, so look for a big dead pine tree. If you look up carefully you will see the first bolt about 40 ft off the deck above two rust colored sections of rock. This is your route. It is easy to get steered over into the route to the right which is not what u are after unless runout 8(s) on bad bolts is your idea of fun. We trailed a second 60 meter and easily rapped to the ground from the bolts. (These bolts are outdated and should probably be replaced. It is probably a good idea to back them up with the very usuable crack below them). Jul 10, 2005

S. Neel

Had a great time on this climb. I believe there were only 5 bolts and was happy to hear that the gentleman climbing before me replaced the anchors (Thank you!!) The only drawback to this route is the double-rap if you didn't happen to bring 2 ropes. Looking at another post, AC suggests you can go out left and hike down the talus (but then again he didn't mention his rope length.) Anyway, it's a fun warm-up type route and good for beginners as well. Enjoy! Apr 24, 2006

Luke Clarke
Golden

Climbed this today with a single, 60m rope. It's easy to escape left on easy ground to a descent path down the gully. It's about a 5.5 traverse, or easier. Place a piece or two for the piece of mind of the last person in the party. Apr 30, 2006

Wes B.

5.7

Great route. A few small cams and nuts will get a beginning leader to the anchor. Sep 14, 2009

Ayescotty9

5.7

This was a fun route for me, an aspiring trad leader, as it allowed me to work in some cam placements between bolts (C4s sizes #0.75-3) on the way up, while having the security of the bolts interspersed. Fun mixed climbing on great rock with positive holds. A recommended climb! Jun 10, 2010

Bapgar 1
Out of the Loop

Definitely a big thank you to whomever replaced the old hardware. The route is sporting brand new bolts and a nice anchor w/ rap rings. Jun 6, 2011

Amos Patrick
Estes Park

A singe 70m will just barely get you down. Jan 27, 2012

Hiro Protagonist
Colorado

I'm a solid 5.7/5.8 trad leader - I found that the bolted slab at the bottom was the problem for me! I like to think that I am fairly confident on slab, but I thought this climb was pretty thin for 5.7 slab. You can't add any gear down low to get you past this section.

I only give the route two stars, because it's harder than expected in the slab section and not that interesting at the top. Mar 30, 2015

Jeff G
Colorado

Perfect rock and really cool features. This route is pretty damn good, especially for 5.7. May 29, 2016

Cole Pazar
Boulder, CO

5.7+

Incredibly classic! Totally Yosemite-style climbing with ideal rock quality and amazing features. Placed a (Totem) #0.5 about 20 feet off the ground and supplemented the upper section with a (BD) #0.75 then a (BD) #1.

We trailed a 60m static in addition to the 70m lead line to rap down. This route is 100% 50 meters long. Do not use a 60 meter rope, and you'll have to have your partner moves up and left, then you'd have to downclimb 5-10 meters, if you want to get down with a 70m. Aug 9, 2020