This tower is Independence Monument in Colorado National Monument in western Colorado. Otto's Route is the most popular route in the park and one of the best easy desert tower routes in the country. It also has a few harder free lines, moderate aid, and

Some guy from Boulder on Drumstick Direct 5.10 on the Turkey Tail, South Platte CO. A long and very sustained pitch of 5.10 hands and fists.

Some guy onsighting Whimical Dreams 5.11 on the Turkey Tail, South Platte CO. Tricky thin crack climbing through several distinct cruxes on this fine route.

Andrew Gram leading Honky Ass Jam Crack 5.7, at Turkey Perch in the South Platte, CO. Perfect hand jams in perfect granite make for a beautiful pitch of moderate crack climbing.

Josh 'minime' Pearson jamming the 2nd pitch of America's first 5.9, Open Book, put up by Royal Robbins

rrrADAM working an unnamed 5.11c TR at Eagle Lake Cliffs. This is a slightly overhung climb involving underclings & sidepulls with no feet.

Sam Ellison getting ready to place gear on this strenuous 5.10; close gear is recommended or face the dreaded pendulum-into-the-corner

A great climb that moves out onto an arete and a little bit more exposure. Here's Pyp edging out onto the arete

Sure, .10a...anyway, that's what they told us at Romper Room in Nanaimo. When i seconded Peter after his great onsight lead, it felt harder...

A trip across the Nanaimo river & we found this great new fist-jam crack nicely cleaned up; no idea of the grade at the time but Peter decided to onsight it in good style

Perfect route to relax somewhat after all of the notorious Josh sandbags...Sam Ellison is in the groove on this one

Located at the base of the Grand Wall, this route is nothing but A1 quality! This is Pyp making his way up onsight on one of his first 5.10's

Gary Quiring leading this nice little route: short crux low down & then on to 5.7 climbing for the remainder

I swapped leads with Ken Danner on this fine two-pitch route; here he is on the bypass

Steep, well protected jam crack: makes this 5.6 a classic! Here's Brian Thornburn enjoying a perfect jam...

Steep for .10a...here I am going too high & about to suffer the consequences...

Adriana Rossi stemming through a steep section of this moderate corner crack. Great for beginners or to get back into placing gear after a long winter...

This is Adriana Rossi placing a nut at the crux of this great route: a 5.8 that has bomber gear and a small roof!

En este croquis puedes apreciar la localizaciòn y relaciòn entre los distintos sectores de escalada. Las lìneas rosadas (color carne) indican caminerias ya establecidas y de fàcil tránsito. Todas las piedras y bloques de los alrededores fueron omitidos pa

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Every REAL CLIMBER knows that it's not THAT you reach the summit that counts, but rather HOW you get there that's important.

It's called "style".

For instance, a solo ascent is usually considered better style than an ascent made with a partner.

An on-sight ascent is better style than one where you have previous knowledge of the route.

And of course, a first ascent is better still.

Here, I am making what is possibly the BEST POSSIBLE STYLE in which an ascent can be made:

An on-sight, solo, winter, nude, first ascent.