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| Chouette (5.6)   | 
| Page Type: Route Location: Colorado, United States, North America Lat/Lon: 40.00338°N / 105.39577°W Route Type: Trad Climbing, Sport Climbing, Toprope Season: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter Time Required: Less than two hours Rock Difficulty: 5.6 (YDS) Difficulty: R Number of Pitches: 1
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| Page By: earthquakes Created/Edited: Nov 5, 2007 / Nov 7, 2007 Object ID: 353463 Hits: 756 Loading... Page Score: 88.23% - 8 Votes Loading... Vote: Log in to vote |
Overview Chouette, which is French slang for 'nifty' or 'nice' is a nice and nifty route for getting warmed up on or acquainted with The Riviera crag of Boulder Canyon Colorado. The Riviera is a south facing cliff on the north side of Hwy. 119 which runs between Boulder, CO and Nederland CO for ~18 miles. The approach is short but steep and has a nice flat area below all the climbs for belaying. On this cliff alone are nearly 10 routes ranging in difficulty from 5.6 to 5.11+. All the routes are bolted, however, trad gear (cams/nuts) are recommended unless you like really run-out climbing. For most of the easier grade routes on the right, the first bolt is ~25' above the ground and there is significant runout between most of these bolts as well. Luckily there are many cracks running horizontally and diagonally across the cliff face providing ample opportunity to place gear.
The Riviera is a great place for beginning leaders (sport & trad) to practice their skills and Chouette being one of those routes for doing so on. Be advised that though this route may be top roped, setting up one can be difficult and dangerous! It is best to lead the route.
Getting ThereFrom Boulder, CO: Take Canyon Rd. which becomes Hwy. 119 west for approximately 7 miles from the canyon entrance just before the bridge. Begin measuring at the green sign that reads "Nederland 18". The Riviera will be on your right (north) coming from this direction. If you come to Boulder Falls (also on the right) you went about 1/2 mile too far. There are three parking options. The farthest on the right is just after the road begins to open up to two lanes. Just before that on your left (south) there is a small parking area by the creek (look for a white sign with red letters on a tree stating 'No overnight camping'). Both of these parking options will force you to walk east back down the hwy for ~200 m and then turn left (north) at a small concrete post with the number '430' on it, that is the trail.
Another parking option is to park at a pull out ~1/4 mile east of the aformentioned two spots and walk west up the hwy for ~100 m and turn right (north) at the same sign post.
From Nederland: Take Hwy. 119 east and at the Barker dam, begin measuring. At 6.3 miles you will come to the parking spots mentioned above.
Route Description One pitch, 90 feet, four bolts. Chouette is the second to last route on the right of the cliff just left of "Splash". Begin by climbing clean warm granite below a large flake. The first bolt is 25' above the ground so if you wish you can place small cams up to .75 C4 in a great crack behind this flake. Climb on top of the flake and continue up another 15' on easy ledges with good feet and hands to the first bolt.
After the first bolt, continue another 20' to bolt #2 which resides on a bulge. After this point, move left a bit to a shallow dihedral with a great finger crack that runs up 30' to the next bolt. This is a good spot to practice placing gear as it accepts small to medium nuts/stoppers well. Above the dihedral, climb out over a bulge where the crux of the route begins. Here the holds and feet go away for the most part. If you're tall you can stem far to the left while reaching right for some crimps. Continue on like this to the fourth and last bolt.
Climb above the last bolt for another 15'+ to a two chain anchor. This route shares the same anchor as Splash, the route just to the right of it. From here you can either continue up another 15' and walk off a 4th class ramp or be lowered down.Essential GearRock Shoes
Helmet
60m Rope
4 Quickdraws
1 Small Cam
A few small/medium Nuts
Anchors
External LinksThe Mountain Project page for Chouette. Images
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