"Let Me Out challenges you with stemming moves and crack jams on a 60-foot single-pitch sport route at Shelf Road. This climb offers a perfect combo of technical holds and flowing movement with strong protection and spectacular canyon views."
Let Me Out punctuates Shelf Road’s rugged contours with a focused burst of movement and technique. This single-pitch, 60-foot sport route invites climbers into a dynamic dance of stemming and crack work that both challenges and rewards. The climb begins with approachable scrambling, easing you into the rhythm of the rock. Early on, you'll find yourself maneuvering toward the first high bolt, your feet searching the textured wall for purchase as the rock exhales beneath your hands.
The highlight arrives at the third bolt where a pronounced bulge demands a shift in strategy. Here, stemming isn’t just a technique; it becomes the language of progress. Whether you power through with locked-in body tension or finesse your way with a calculated crank of the legs, the bulge pushes your physical limits while promising relief on the other side. Beyond this crux, a set of three cracks invites you to blend jamming with purposeful stemming, rewarding careful foot placement and hand jams alike.
Anchoring this climb is a two-bolt setup, secured with sturdy chains, allowing for safe and confident top rope or lead descent. With eight bolts protecting the pitch, the route offers solid security but demands respect for movement precision and route-finding. The sun-soaked walls of Shelf Road elevate this experience, revealing expansive canyon views that stretch beyond Canon City into the Colorado horizon.
Preparation is key. Footwear with sticky rubber and a stiff sole will help you nail the stemming sections and hold onto smaller footholds, while a set of quickdraws—typically eight—fits the bolt spacing perfectly. Timing your climb to mid-morning or late afternoon can afford cooler conditions as the rock tends to retain heat during peak sun hours. Hydration and a sensible warm-up are essential here, as the bulge can sap energy if tackled unprepared.
Let Me Out is a versatile test that sits comfortably in the moderate 5.9 range, making it accessible to experienced sport climbers looking to hone stemming skills or push through tricky crack sequences. Its position on the Shelf Road wall means you escape the crowds early or late in the day, finding a slice of solitude amid a well-traveled climbing destination. Whether you’re sharpening your technique or simply eager for a memorable route, this climb blends utility with adventure, demanding focus while delivering an enjoyable, scenic reward.
Consider this route part of a larger pilgrimage along The Bank, where the mixture of sport and crack climbs beckons climbers who appreciate variety and straightforward access. The approach is friendly, the rock quality solid, and the climbing both straightforward and mentally engaging—the kind of route that leaves you thinking about stemming long after you’ve clipped the anchors and returned to the valley below.
While the bolts and anchors are reliable, the stemming bulge can tax your energy and precision. Be cautious on the ledgy sections above the bulge where foot holds narrow. Also, the rock can become hot during midday, increasing slip risk—plan accordingly.
Start mid-morning or late afternoon to avoid the sun’s peak heat on the rock.
Wear sticky rubber shoes with a firm sole to handle stemming and crack jams effectively.
Bring eight quickdraws to clip the bolts with room to spare.
Stay focused on foot placements during the bulge to conserve energy and prevent slips.
Eight well-spaced bolts protect this route, capped by a solid two-bolt anchor with chains. Bring a standard rack of quickdraws to clip safely as you navigate the stemming bulge and crack system.
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