"Cold Feet offers a crisp 35-foot climb up a sharp arete on excellent limestone in Canon City's Shelf Road. With stemming dihedrals and a tricky face crux, this route rewards climbers seeking a concise technical burst in a sun-soaked desert setting."
Cold Feet stands out as a fresh challenge on Shelf Road’s rugged walls, offering climbers a compact but compelling pitch that blends technical face climbing with clever movement on an exposed arete. This 35-foot sport route demands attention right from the start where you step into a tight chimney and dihedral system that tests your balance and body positioning. The rock here is solid and grippy, a mix of golden limestone blocks that reward precise footwork and calm focus.
As you push upward, the dihedral demands subtle stemming—your hands and feet dancing in opposition to maintain tension—before the line opens up toward the right, teasing you with a distinct challenge. For those looking to push beyond the straightforward path, a crux lies in committing to the face holds, rated around 10a, injecting a burst of technical climbing into an otherwise moderate route.
Approaching the arete, the route changes character as it widens and you find yourself hugging the sharper edge of the formation. This final section, about 15 feet, invites you to transition carefully around the prow, feeling the exposure while trusting the well-placed bolts protecting the moves. The last few moves shift onto an easier slab, where balance rules and speed slows, allowing a moment to catch your breath and take in the sweeping views of Colorado’s desert landscape.
Situated within the Great Black North area of Canon City, the climb basks in afternoon sun but benefits from the occasional shade that slides over the wall during cooler months, making it flexible across the seasons. Getting here is straightforward, though the approach hike involves negotiating loose scree and sparse vegetation that can be slick underfoot after rain.
Protection consists entirely of bolts, culminating in a secure two-bolt anchor at the top—perfect for a quick rap or an easy walk-off descent. Overall, Cold Feet is an approachable yet satisfying addition to Shelf Road’s portfolio, ideal for climbers eager to sharpen their technique on an interesting arete while soaking in the bold, spacious environment that defines this Colorado corridor.
Practical tips: arrive early in the day during summer to avoid heat soak, wear sticky rubber shoes for confident edging on the face holds, bring quickdraws sized for sport climbing, and prepare for a short walk-off descent that demands steady footing.
While the rock quality is excellent overall, some of the approach scree can be unstable. Climbers should proceed carefully, especially when carrying heavy packs. On route, bolts are solid but avoid dynamic falls near the arete’s edges to prevent swinging into sharp rock.
Start early to avoid afternoon heat on the limestone face.
Wear sticky climbing shoes for secure footing on the arete’s edges.
Carry at least 4 quickdraws to ensure continuous protection.
Be cautious on the loose scree trail during the approach; trail shoes with grip help.
The route is fully bolted with bolts along the line and finishes on a two-bolt anchor. Bring standard sport quickdraws to clip smoothly. The protection is reliable and spaced for confidence on both the chimney and face sections.
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