First Flatiron (3)
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• Statistics:
  • Date Hiked:  September 28, 2010
  • Miles Hiked:  2.0
  • Elevation Gain:  1,200'
  • Hiking Partner(s):  Brad & Melissa McQueen and Jeff Shafer
• Description:
  • Jeff and I climbed the Direct East Face (5.6) of the First Flatiron almost exactly 2 years ago.  I was a bit sketched out on the first two run-out pitches even though I was following, so when Jeff called me early in the week to see if I was interested in heading back up to the route I gladly accepted hoping to redeem myself.  Brad and Melissa had asked Jeff to take them out rock climbing since Brad had climbed the Third Flatiron with Jeff last year.  For late September, the weather was warm and the hike to the base of the route went quickly.  We all geared up and got ready for the climb.  Brad and Melissa have somewhat limited rock climbing experience, so Jeff led and Melissa followed the entire climb for Team Orange (They both had orange helmets.), and I led and Brad followed the entire climb for Team 2 (We didn't come up with a clever name.)
  • Team Orange went first with Jeff in the lead, and then I led behind Melissa while Brad was in the clean up position.  The climb went very smoothly, and both Brad and Melissa performed like well seasoned rock jocks.  I didn't see either one of them hesitate all day.  We completed the climb in 8 pitches with beautiful weather and virtually no company on the route with the exception of one soloist.  I was happy to climb the route much better than my last time to the First Flatiron, and it was also fun to help others get out and experience some multi-pitch rock climbing.
• Maps:
  • Click here to view a 2D map of the area where this hike is located.  (The map is from my climb of the Third Flatiron so the route isn't of the First.)
• Photographs:
  • Looking up the Direct East Face of the First Flatiron from the base of the route.
  • Melissa starting up the first pitch with Jeff belaying far above.
  • Melissa near the beginning of the first pitch with James leading below her.
  • Melissa finishing off the pitch as Jeff belays from above.
  • Brad halfway up pitch 1.
  • Brad near the top of pitch 1.
  • Melissa and Brad at our first belay station.
  • Jeff leading out high on pitch 2.
  • Melissa and James on pitch 2 as Brad waits at our first belay station below.
  • Brad on pitch 2.
  • Mellissa and Brad at our second belay station.
  • Jeff leading out on pitch 3.
  • Melissa and James finishing pitch 3.
  • Brad finishing pitch 3.
  • Melissa, Brad, and James at our third belay station.
  • Brad pulling hard at the top of pitch 4.
  • Melissa on pitch 5 with Boulder (CO) and the University of Colorado in the background.
  • Brad finishing pitch 5.
  • Jeff on the ridge of the First Flatiron.
  • Melissa climbing and enjoying the day.
  • Melissa on the ridge of the First Flatiron.
  • Melissa and James nearing the summit of the First Flatiron.  (I usually charge admission to the gun show.)
  • Jeff chillin' on the summit of the First Flatiron.
  • Melissa climbing the last section of the First Flatiron.  Pic 1   Pic 2   Pic 3
  • Brad approaching the summit of the First Flatiron.
  • Melissa's summit photo.
  • Jeff and Brad's summit photo.
  • James' summit photo.
  • Melissa on rappel.
  • Brad on rappel.
  • First Flatiron

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