Pete and I were out to make up for our past failure on Cheesman Mountain in Jefferson County. This time we were coming prepared with a 60 meter static line, prussiks and some thinner cord to toss over the summit formation.
We hiked up the shady side to Cheesman and were soon back under the familiar summit block that had stymied us back in March.
I took out one of the two 50 foot sections of parachute cord I’d bought and Pete found a rock to toss. After tying the two together I took aim and launched my first stop short of the summit. Attempt two got the rock on top of the formation, but not over the other side. Once the rock came untied on top the cord jammed into the jumble of rocks on top.
Thankfully, I had the other 50 feet of cord and Pete produced a stuff sack and another rock. I let him take over and his first shot was also short. His second volley had plenty of vertical but absolutely no horizontal vector. Once we recovered from a fit of laughter Pete composed himself for a third launch. This time the rock sailed smoothly over the summit and by flicking slack into our heavier line eventually the rock touched down on the far side.
Once we’d pulled the static line all the way over the summit I anchored it to two large boulders then returned to the other side where I prussiked up to the summit. Two visits, at least 8 throws and now I had finally climbed to the summit of Cheesman Mountain. Actually it was all rather anticlimactic.
After rappelling back down I gave Pete some instruction on how to ascend a fixed line and he started up.
Then he safely rappelled and we undid the anchor and managed to pull the line back without jamming it in the rope-grabbing summit boulders.
Our next objective was over an hour away in Garden of the Gods. After stopping by the visitors center to register for a climbing permit we hurried out to jump on the route. Montezuma’s Tower was our goal.
After sorting the gear Pete put me on belay and I started up. I found the initial climb a little run out, but the climbing wasn’t hard. Still I was happy to clip the first bolt on the route.
There are several bolts and a couple fixed pins on the North Ridge, but I was glad to bolster the protection with a few cams and stoppers as well. The climbing was fairly easy, but wildly exposed on this narrow arete with about 270 degrees worth of tourists standing around and qawking at you.
At the belay stance over half way up the ridge I noticed a pigeon sitting on a next just below my feet. With some anxiety she watched my every move as I clipped a bolt and pin then yelled down “Off belay!”. After pulling up the slack I put Pete on belay and he followed up the climb while I watched the tourists watching me.
Pete soon arrived at the narrow belay stance where we reversed roles and I took the gear back from him. Looking up the next portion of the climb looked really exposed. Thankfully, it turned out to be even easier climbing and I could get in a cam before reaching the next bolt. The summit quickly appeared and I settled in to await Pete’s arrival.
We took some time to slowly reorganize the ropes on this beautiful day while taking in the views.
Pete had carried up a second rope since one by itself wouldn’t get us to the ground. With the two ropes tied together and the ends tossed down below I left our airy perch for a quick descent.
Pete soon followed and we pulled down the ropes then chatted with a party just about to start up the same route.
It was still early and we had plenty of time for a late lunch at Trinity Brewing Company before driving back up to Golden.
I love the green vegetation nestled in between the red rock formations!