There were six of us, and we combined two routes- Bakers and Fandango to create Baker-dango. The hike was probably 3/4 mile from Chautauqua Park in Boulder, Co.- and past the standard route. I was in a group with two other guys, and the last climber in the line. I was responsible for cleaning anchors, however I ended up cleaning gear on two of the pitches-- there were six and a half pitches total.
Here is the view from the beginning of the route.
Here is me before I began climbing! Bright-eyed and ready to go!
The first pitch was easy to follow, and a simple climb.
The second pitch, was slightly more tricky, however I ended up sticking to the crack, the heights started to get to me. The view from the second belay station was gorgeous!
Currently-face climbs scare me- I need to get over that fear- but I need to practice, which requires a belayer!-- The third pitch was simple, however the belay station required a hanging belay. I was clipped to the anchor as well as a piton, because I was quite high up by this point, and needed to clean the anchor, which required unclipping.
The edge of the 1st Flatiron, and the 2nd in the background.
Once at the beginning of the fourth or fifth pitch, we had a moment to rest and look at the gorgeous expanse of Rock Mountain National Park, way in the distance. Longs' peak sticks up like a tower at the northern most point.
We were all attached to the same anchor, and had a group climbing over the top of us.
Ian was the second person in our group, and Clare with the massive tangle of ropes, was the lead climber for the other group.
I wasn't fond of the first half of the next pitch, it required me to edge out around a lip, and up a sheer rock face. Now I know, I've already mentioned my fear of heights, but it certainly took me a good half an hour to get up the nerve to climb the first half of that pitch, I was terrified!!! After some coaxing by Clare, I was able to complete the pitch, and the next two without a hitch. I had finally made it to the summit of the 1st flatiron.
We then had to repel off the back to the safety of the ground, Ian was the first to repel, however it was an incredibly windy day, and the rope got stuck. Ian was stranded for a good 10 mins. Once he was safely on the ground, it was my turn- the lead climber-- for some reason decided he wanted to set up my belay device. He set it up backwards, I was mildly annoyed...however it was made worse by the screw-gate of my carabiner jamming. It took another 15 mins for us to finally get the 'biner freed up, and this time I set up the device correctly, and repelled off the back. I followed the line of the rope, not knowing that the wind had carried it way to the right. All of a sudden I heard a loud "SNAP", the rope had been on the edge of a small lip, and broke free sending me penduluming 30 feet out from the rock. I screamed "SHITTTTTTTTTT", threw my feet way out in front of me, and after slamming into the rock, I was able to complete the repel, landing safely on the ground.
Upon completing my first multi-pitch climb, I've come to the determination that I need more work before I attempt another such climb. I want to complete a lot more training climbs, maybe some smaller multi-pitch, however I wouldn't trade the experience for anything! It was an amazing place to be, and everytime I look up there, I know I've climbed it! I just cannot wait until I am lead climbing something so fantastic!
