Adventure Collective
HomeClimbingFruity Pebbles

Fruity Pebbles: A Balanced South Face Climb in the Flatirons

Boulder, Colorado United States
slab
south-facing
single-pitch
mixed-protection
bolt-anchor
moderate
footwork
Length: 70 ft
Type: Trad, Sport
Stars
Pitches
1
Location
Fruity Pebbles
Aspect
South Facing

Overview

"Fruity Pebbles offers a smooth blend of trad and sport climbing on Boulder’s southern Goose Egg wall. This balanced, slightly thinner line challenges your footwork on a sun-warmed slab with secure bolts and solid gear placements."

Fruity Pebbles: A Balanced South Face Climb in the Flatirons

Fruity Pebbles stands out on the Southern Goose Egg’s south face, promising an engaging mix of trad and sport climbing that invites both steady focus and smooth movement. Starting alongside its neighbor, Power Bacon, this route shares a first bolt before diverging sharply to the right, rewarding climbers with a quieter, more delicate sequence that emphasizes balance over brute force. The approach places you just below the central ramp slicing through the south face, where two bolted lines mark the rock—one lower and independent, and another splitting left and right. Taking the right-hand fork, Fruity Pebbles unfolds with four well-spaced bolts leading up a slab that demands precise footwork and controlled breathing.

The first twenty feet let you test the rock on secure natural features, with placements for cams between 3 and 3.5 inches if you choose to supplement the four bolts. This hybrid protection suits climbers who prefer a bit of gear variety to back up the clipped bolts. The slab above invites careful balance and smooth transitions, less strenuous than the pumpy Power Bacon nearby, but requiring consistent attention to body positioning. Upon reaching the anchors, clipped securely at the top, descents follow a rappel—lowering is discouraged to preserve the integrity of your rope sheath, so plan accordingly with your belayer.

Sitting at 70 feet and graded 5.9, Fruity Pebbles fits well into the Flatirons’ repertoire as a climb that challenges technique rather than raw power. The south-facing wall catches ample sun, typically warming the rock mid-morning through afternoon, though summer heat can be intense—early starts or late afternoons in spring and fall bring the best climbing conditions. The route’s location above Fern Canyon offers scenic views of Boulder’s iconic sandstone spires while the area hums with crisp mountain air and the faint rustle of nearby trees.

As the route stakes its claim on the southern flank, expect a climb that asks for a light touch and steady footwork more than a sustained pump. The rock feels solid, with well-maintained bolts and placements that reward climbers who come prepared with a mixed rack. Whether you’re dialing in your slab skills or chasing a fun, approachable single-pitch adventure, Fruity Pebbles offers a slightly quieter alternative to its more physically demanding neighbors. Keep a keen eye on the anchors and rappel setup, and you’ll find a rewarding climb framed by the expansive Colorado sky and Boulder’s climbing culture.

Climber Safety

Lowering off the route is discouraged to avoid wear on your rope sheath; always rappel from the anchors. The south-facing slab can become slick in wet conditions, so avoid climbing after rain and watch your footing along the upper slab sections.

Route Details

TypeTrad, Sport
Pitches1
Length70 feet

Local Tips

Avoid lowering off the route to protect your rope — rappel only from the anchors.

Start early in spring or late afternoon in summer for cooler temperatures on the south-facing wall.

Bring a light rack with mid-sized cams, particularly 3-3.5 inches, to supplement the fixed bolts.

Check anchor condition before the climb; chains and bolts are maintained but worth a quick safety glance.

Route Rating

Difficulty
5.9
Quality
Consensus:The 5.9 grade here feels approachable but climbs with a touch of finesse due to the thinner, balance-heavy moves compared to nearby routes like Power Bacon. The difficulty lies less in sustained pumping and more in precise climbing technique, making it a good training ground for slab skills.

Gear Requirements

Climb protected by four bolts and a bolted anchor; optional trad placements available in the first 20 feet for 3 to 3.5 inch cams, useful if you prefer extending protection beyond bolts.

Share Your Ascent

Upload your photos of Fruity Pebbles and earn up to 3000 $ADVCOIN tokens.

Tags

slab
south-facing
single-pitch
mixed-protection
bolt-anchor
moderate
footwork