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Rainbow Buttress - 5.8

Average Rating = 4.57/5 Average Rating : 4.57 out of 5
Route sequence (left to right): 2
Route Summary | Ascent Notes (10)
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Bring all the regular stuff plus an extra #3.5 and #4 cam.
Consensus Ratings
  Difficulty 5.8
  Safety Rating G
  Exposure 4.43/5
  Rock Quality 4.29/5
  Scenery 5.00/5
  Fun Factor 4.71/5

Description:

Approach: Walk up Oak creek about an hour past Solar Slab staying to the right when the canyon forks. Continue up the north fork until you come to a spot with two large, healthy pine trees, one on each side of the creekbed. This marks the start of the approach ramp. Head up the slabs/ramp past Eagle Dance and Levitation until you reach the end of the ledge system. The climb is directly above you. Go up the right side of the Black Tower, then wander up to the top. Descent: From the top of the last pitch, head for a red pinnacle and skirt it on the right. Now continue along the ridge until you run out of sandstone. At a red saddle, head down the obvious, waterpolished slabs which will take you back to your packs.

Submitted by: crotch on 2004-08-06
Views: 1605
Route ID: 15713

10 Ascents Recorded

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Ratings
  Difficulty 5.8
  Safety Rating G
  Exposure
  Rock Quality
  Scenery
  Fun Factor
Onsight Onsight ascent by: bowleggedgoat on 2010-11-13 (View Climbing Log)

4 out of 5 stars Rainbow Buttress

Awesome route. Get an early start if you're not simulclimbing. Make sure everyone is comfortable in chimneys. Such an awesome route, even though I ended up leading the last 3 pitches by failing headlamp.

Added: 2012-02-07

Ratings
  Difficulty 5.8
  Safety Rating PG13
  Exposure
  Rock Quality
  Scenery
  Fun Factor
Onsight Onsight ascent by: jmeizis on 2011-04-12 (View Climbing Log)

4 out of 5 stars Fun Sometimes

The climbing was pretty fun except for the long fourth pitch because it was wide and there was little in the way of gear. Simul-climbed it in 3 hours along with Black Orpheus in 2 hours.

Added: 2011-04-18

Ratings
  Difficulty 5.8
  Safety Rating G
  Exposure
  Rock Quality
  Scenery
  Fun Factor
Onsight Onsight ascent by: jackkelly00 on 2010-02-15 (View Climbing Log)

5 out of 5 stars EXCELLENT!!!

Great route. Took the original variation which climbs a flared offwidth to an awesome 5.7 crack leading to a roof. Spectacular views and exposure. It IS a long day though. Walk in alone took 3 hours (1 hr on sunny slabs...real hot!). Start early and move fast. The cracks down low are fun and exciting. Even has some old Herbst chimney stuff. Great route and definitely a 5-star climb!!

Added: 2010-02-22

Ratings
  Difficulty 5.9
  Safety Rating G
  Exposure
  Rock Quality
  Scenery
  Fun Factor
Onsight Onsight ascent by: vegastradguy on 2009-11-15 (View Climbing Log)

4 out of 5 stars excellent

great day out- took the dihedral variation, felt more like 5.9 to me. rps or the smallest cams would be a nice addition, as would an extra #3 or #4 camalot if you're not a solid 5.10 leader. the final pitch (the bolted variation) felt VERY hard for 5.7- and the rock quality made it spooky. also- look on mountain project for the chicken lips descent beta for a 40 min descent back to the painted bowl!

Added: 2009-11-15

Ratings
  Difficulty 5.8
  Safety Rating G
  Exposure
  Rock Quality
  Scenery
  Fun Factor
Onsight Onsight ascent by: dowww on 2009-10-01 (View Climbing Log)

5 out of 5 stars Rainbow Buttress

Hard to beat the day we had, with Liba from NM. Perfect weather, company and terrain. Oak Creek is prob the most enjoyable full length canyon (your descent) of all of Red Rocks. We did this in 10+ hrs and never climbed together before and took plenty of breaks, this is more of a II-III day vs IV. The rock was quite stellar and pitches 2, 3 and 6 were very good for the grade by Red Rocks standards. I took a slide nut for that thin section on 6 and it fit the bill. Single rack worked great all day. Quite a few trees to sling as well.

Added: 2009-10-02

... Read all 10 ascent notes