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zozo
May 25, 2005, 9:22 PM
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I want to take a friend up one of the flatirons the next full moon. Are there any restriction on climbing at night there?
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msamet
May 25, 2005, 9:41 PM
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None as far as I know--just don't go into any of the closed areas (e.g. the Third Flatiron), and be aware that some of the trailheads may be closed from 11:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m., so park near them in a residential area and hike a little farther. It's a great experience.
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mbg
May 25, 2005, 9:46 PM
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I wouldn't be surprised if the mountain parks are officially closed after sundown but people climb them at night all the time so I doubt you'll have any trouble. I'd recommend picking a night on either side of the full moon because it can get surprisingly crowded when it's in its full phase. Keep in mind that much of the crux pitch of the 1st (I assume that's what you have in mind) will be in tree shadows most of the night.
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zozo
May 25, 2005, 9:48 PM
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I was looking at the 5th. Can you reccommend a route that may not be so crowded?
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zozo
May 25, 2005, 9:54 PM
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Uh-Uh!!!!!
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mbg
May 25, 2005, 9:55 PM
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You should have the 5th all to yourselves. The only drawback to it will be getting back to the Royal Arch Trail. There's not a good trail off of the backside like 1 through 3 have. You'll be bushwhacking in the dark and the poison ivy around the 4th and 5th is notoriously bad. That said, the 5th has the coolest summit of the 5 and should be spectacular at night.
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zozo
May 25, 2005, 9:56 PM
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In reply to: You'll be bushwhacking in the dark and the poison ivy around the 4th and 5th is notoriously bad. That said, the 5th has the coolest summit of the 5 and should be spectacular at night. Doable with a headlamp I assume? How do you get off this thing? Raps off the back?
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neph
May 26, 2005, 2:23 AM
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Getting there isn't too bad, it's only a few hundred yards off the royal arch trail. Getting down will take a little bushwhacking, but I don't remember it as being too bad. One single rope rap gets you to the ground. Descent is around to the south. DO NOT go down between the 4th and 5th flatirons, especially at night. Worst descent ever. (and don't go and do it just cause I said not to, cause thats exactly what we did, and we regretted it (and if you do go, downclimbing that one bit is really tricky when wet.. I'd suggest rapping down it :) )) Both the Regular Route and the Northeast Buttress are fun, but the pro on the NE Buttress is pretty sparse. Sounds like a fun outing.. I'd be up for doing it too.. let us know when you go :)
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zozo
May 27, 2005, 5:07 PM
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In reply to: let us know when you go :) Not a chance :wink:
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climboard
May 27, 2005, 5:21 PM
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Make sure you scope out the descent before you go. I climbed the 3rd for the first time under the light of the full moon. It is to this day one of my favorite climbing experiences. We didn't research the descent very well though and it turned out to be one of my least favorite climbing experiences. Enjoy!
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zozo
May 27, 2005, 5:25 PM
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Yeah no doubt, Im going to climb whatever route I decide on before we do it.
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