"Framboise is a crisp 40-foot trad climb on Napoleon Wall offering solid gear placements and a spacious belay ledge. It’s an inviting challenge for trad climbers looking to sharpen their skills amid the rugged terrain of Gilman Canyon."
Framboise offers a focused introduction to trad climbing within the rugged contours of Napoleon Wall in Gilman Canyon, Colorado. This short yet satisfying 40-foot pitch welcomes climbers ready to test their lead skills without committing to a full-day expedition. The route slices cleanly up a series of solid holds, protected well by gear placements up to 2 inches, allowing for confident ascent even on its crux moves. The rock carries a composed character; it isn’t overly polished but well textured, providing reliable grip as your fingers and feet find their rhythm.
This climb finishes on a broad, comfortable belay ledge, a rare luxury where you can catch your breath while enjoying views of the surrounding canyon walls that stand like ancient guardians. The ledge itself shares space with Deux Pour Une, offering a quiet camaraderie among climbers seeking varied challenges on this face.
Approaching Framboise means entering a landscape where the natural stone commands attention, but where the trail designs a gentle path through brush and rocky terrain. The access walk takes roughly 15 minutes via well-worn trails from a popular parking area near Eagle, combining easy navigation with subtle reminders of the wild setting—the soft rustle of trees, distant bird calls, and the occasional breeze shifting loose gravel beneath your boots.
Though shorter and arguably less intricate than the nearby Shredding the Bone Apart (5.9), Framboise serves as a perfect practice climb or warm-up pitch. Those chasing a straightforward yet gratifying trad experience on reliable rock will appreciate its balance of challenge and accessibility. Planning your outing here means gearing up with a set of cams ideally covering up to 2 inches, sturdy climbing shoes for edging, and a light rack to move quickly.
Seasonally, late spring through early fall offers the best conditions, with mornings providing cooler temperatures before the summer sun fully bathes the canyon walls. While the face doesn’t catch full shade, the brief exposure to sun makes for pleasant warming on cooler days. Descent is equally uncomplicated—rappel or walk off via established paths—though care in footing is advised to prevent slips on loose scree.
Framboise invites climbers to engage with the steep vertical reality of Gilman Canyon while managing risk responsibly, offering a manageable yet exciting taste of trad climbing in Colorado’s White River National Forest vicinity.
Though the climb is short and protected well, be cautious on the approach and descent where loose scree can lead to slips. Double-check your placement sizes, as the protection is focused and relies on mid-sized cams.
Approach takes about 15 minutes on a well-marked trail from the main parking area.
Bring a light rack, focusing on cams up to 2 inches for secure placements.
Morning climbs are preferable in summer for cooler temperatures and softer sunlight.
Use sticky-soled climbing shoes to maximize grip on the rock’s texture.
A cam rack covering up to 2 inches is essential to safeguard the ascent. Framboise’s protection is straightforward, making it friendly for those refining trad lead techniques without complex gear placements.
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