Only Classics: Bouldering

Only Classics : Bouldering 

In 1979 Steve Roper and Allen Steck published the book 50 classic climbs of North America.  The book became a staple of the climbing community at that time and represents a snapshot of the climbing at the time.  It highlights monumental routes on the continent known for their aesthetics  and difficulty and the climbing effort of those who established the classic routes. Some of the routes remained famously unrepeated for many years and were represented only by their first and only ascent. 

In a similar spirit of the 50 classics the Only Classics series is my attempt at compiling a list of notable and important problems in Colorado. The list includes routes of all grades that portrays the progression and history of the sport in Colorado. A classic route also requires compelling moves, challenging sequences, quality landings and aesthetic lines in places that highlight the best of the sport. No roadside problems make the list.

This list is part of an ongoing project to document the history of bouldering in Colorado.

Only Classics

V1 The Millennium Falcon. 

Dynamite Shacks, Grand Junction 

https://www.mountainproject.com/route/106055084/the-millennium-falcon

V3 Super Phun Thyme. 

Morrison. 

https://www.mountainproject.com/route/114171135/super-phun-thyme

V5 Breakfast Boulder

San Luis Valley 

https://www.mountainproject.com/route/107938272/the-breakfast-boulder-traverse

V3 Southside Splitter

Buena vista 

https://www.mountainproject.com/route/106404962/southside-splitter

V12 Dark Waters

Clear Creek Canyon.

A roof problem first climbed by Daniel Woods. Climb above the stream bed on a series of underclings to a topout move that involved a much disputed chipped hold that has since been “filled.”

https://www.mountainproject.com/route/105862849/dark-waters

V7 Into the Light

Clear Creek Canyon

https://www.mountainproject.com/route/108426683/into-the-light