Coors Lite
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• Statistics:
  • Date Hiked:  December 29, 2007
  • Miles Hiked:  0.5 (Estimate)
  • Elevation Gain:  400' (Estimate)
  • Hiking Partner(s):  Jeff Shafer
  • Routes:  WI3 (6 Pitches)
• Description:
  • The forecast was cold an miserable, so instead of getting skunked after driving for a couple of hours, Jeff and I simply drove up Clear Creek Canyon outside of Golden (CO) to see what was available.  A short way past the first tunnel, we saw "Coors Lite" and thought it looked as though it was definitely worth checking out.  We pulled off of Highway 6 and made the extremely short approach to the base of the first flow.  One team was already above us and another guy was free climbing.  After gearing up, I led the first pitch placing three screws and clipping a bolt right before the top of the pitch.  I brought Jeff up and then there was a short scramble to the base of the second section of ice.  This pitch was short, but definitely harder than what we had just climbed.  I got three screws in and brought Jeff up on some bolts at the top of the climb.  We scrambled further up the drainage to see if there was more ice above us, but we didn't see anything.  We set up a top rope on the second pitch we climbed and played around for most of the morning trying various alternatives to the curtain that had formed.  After several runs, we called it a day, had a beer at the Trooper, and made the quick drive back to Highlands Ranch (CO).
• Maps:
  • No map available.
• Photographs:
  • Coors Lite from Highway 6.  You can see a climber on the second pitch where we top roped much of the morning.
  • The first pitch with a soloist on the main step.
  • Jeff climbing the first pitch.  I should have extended the runner on the bolt I clipped to reduce rope drag.
  • Jeff at the top of the second (and better) pitch of ice on Coors Lite.
  • Jeff rappelling after we set up a top rope on the second pitch.
  • Me climbing the "slurpie route".  The left side of the right flow was wet.
  • Jeff stemming across the two ice flows.
  • Jeff climbing on the far right of the ice.
  • A close up of Jeff.
  • A photo of me climbing from the distance.

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