Ginger Buttress, 5.8-5.11d

Ginger Buttress, 5.8-5.11d

Page Type Page Type: Mountain/Rock
Location Lat/Lon: 36.10810°N / 115.4894°W
Activities Activities: Trad Climbing
Seasons Season: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
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Overview/Approach

Power Failure, 5.10b Power Failure, 5.10b

On the northeast corner of Rainbow Mountain, at the entrance to Juniper Canyon, lies the Wall of Cracks (Crimson Chrysalis and Cloud Tower). Immediately to the southeast of this juncture in Juniper Canyon is Ginger Buttress (white tower attached to the east face of Rainbow Mountain). Ginger Buttress consists of a collection of mostly moderate routes the most popular of which are Ginger Cracks (5.9) and Unimpeachable Groping (5.10b). The buttress forms a triangular tower of sorts with a few stepped faces nearing its summit which forms a cool notch between it and an adjacent taller wall to the west. Only two routes reach this notch, Ginger Cracks and Unimpeachable Groping thus why they are the most popular routes on the buttress.

Unimpeachable is actually a rare (by Red Rocks standards) multi pitch sport climb and Ginger Cracks is a trad climb with mostly fixed stations. Neither are overly long thus these routes make for decent winter ascents as long as the temps are reasonable. Any routes on the right side (north) of the buttress (i.e. Ginger Cracks) do not see sun during the short winter days.

The approach for this buttress, as for other routes in Juniper Canyon, can start either at the Pine Canyon trail head or Oak Creek trail head off the Red Rocks loop road. For Ginger Buttress, I prefer the Oak Creek trail head version. Oak Creek is the last trail head option on the Red Rocks Loop Road. Drive down a long gravel drive to the parking area. Use the trail heading out of the corralled parking lot to the north aiming for Juniper Canyon. Follow the trail as it meanders northwest towards Rainbow Mountain. There are a variety of options, but it is more direct to not cross the Juniper Canyon wash, but rather turn left at some point and head for the bushy ramp that leads to Cloud Tower. Once on the ramp gaining elevation and almost to the col, turn left on a faint trail heading up to the north end of Ginger Buttress.

Route Description(s) The Routes are Listed Left to Right as if you Circumvent the Buttress

Power Failure, 5.10b
Mount Wilson
Ginger Cracks, 5.9
2nd Pitch 2nd pitch, All You Can Eat
4th Pitch 4th pitch, All You Can Eat
  • Fist or Flips- 120’- 5.10c/
  • Power Failure- 450’- 5.10b/  Power Failure is an east facing route. If climbing this route in mid winter as I did, I advice getting an early start. Once you lose the sun, it can get pretty damn cold. The same can be said for Unimpeachable Groping. Huge difference on both routes in the dead of winter when you lose that morning sun. The middle pitch is the crux pitch for sure with quite a few bolts helping you make the transition from a thin seam to a prominent corner. The first pitch traverses right quite a bit and the last pitch follows the corner back left to the upper rappel station used to descend this wall via three double rope rappels. I do this rap in two very long double 60m rope rappels, but that requires a bit of down climbing towards the end. The Urioste’s put this route in with a bunch of other folks in ‘98. Jorge put the classic Unimpeachable Groping up just one year later. Dow
  • Somewhere over the Rainbow- 1100’- 5.11d/ Extension of Power Failure that is not actually on Ginger Buttress but rather proceeds up Rainbow Mountain.
  • Unimpeachable Groping- 700’- 5.10b/ Jorge Urioste and Mike Clifford made the Unimpeachable Groping line in 1999. Unlike Prince of Darkness (six pitches through 700’), Unimpeachable Groping truly requires no supplemental gear in my opinion (although some guidebooks call for it). I was a little surprised Jorge did not bolt Unimpeachable in the same fashion as Prince of Darkness as I did observe several lines of bolts right next to protectable terrain. In any regard, it still offers a fantastic climb in a great setting up the middle east face of Ginger Buttress on the east side of Rainbow Mountain at Red Rocks. At least one guide book calls this route 5.10d, however many of us consider it closer to 5.10a. I would say there is a smattering of 5.10c moves that kind of confuse the grade, but for the most part, the moves are 5.10- for sure. Dow
  • All You Can Eat- 430’- 5.10d/ The first two pitches of All You Can Eat are outstanding. They both are protected with gear and bolts and offer everything from tips to hands to wide. The obtuse corner start is very unique and offers one of the more interesting 5.10 moves at Red Rock, making the cool stem from the left corner to the right corner. The 3rd and 4th pitches (both fully bolted) are the crux of the climb if not for any other reason than they span 200’ of suspect holds on vertical ground (5.10+). Although the 4th pitch has the crux move of the route as well as the most run out between bolts, the 3rd pitch is the most unnerving (I led them both). The 5th pitch is the easiest pitch and the only one that you might place large gear in as Handren references in his guide (double 6"-8"). I placed one C4#4 deep in and would have been comfortable running the final off-width chimney out as it is by far the easiest climbing of the day once you traverse into it. All You Can Eat is a much more sustained route at the grade than Power Failure and a more adventurous outing than Unimpeachable Groping with only a handful of ascents to date. Dow
  • Ginger Cracks- 930’- 5.9/ As always, Radek's notes (the link) are spot on and complete with great beta photos. Ginger Cracks is comprised of pleasant rock and can make for a fun short day at Red Rocks. I did not see any 5.9 moves on it. Mostly 5.7-5.8, but plenty of interesting features. The second pitch is the most unique featuring a small chimney. There is not much to the "crux" pitch (4th), except that it should not have been bolted as there is a decent crack running most the length of it. The last pitch (7th) is worth doing for sure, interesting climbing involved all the way to the notch which is in a pretty spectacular position on Rainbow Mountain. The descent off of the back end (south) and down Power Failure and return to the base is quick and easy. This route sees no sun during the short winter days. Dow
  • Blade Runner- 350'- 5.10b/ If combining Blade Runner with Ginger Cracks, climb the first five pitches of Ginger to a large bushy ledge near the top of the formation.  Straight up and right is the reddish arete of Blade Runner.  The first pitch runs through six bolts of 5.8 climbing with optional gear placements.  That 100’ lands you at a fixed station atop a small whitish ledge on the very edge of the arete.  The middle pitch offers spectacular exposure via positive but steep holds moving left and right across the arete through 9 bolts The last 30’ or so of the terrain eases way off.  The last pitch meanders up and right finding a hand crack that leads back left to a ledge.  Traverse up and left to the top of this arete feature at a fixed rap.  Six bolts protect this varied final pitch with optional cam placements.  The FAer called this last pitch 5.9 but it leans more 5.8 at most compared to the 5.8 climbing on Ginger Cracks below.  Dow
  • Spice- 300’- 5.9/
  • Sugar- 225’- 5.10a/
  • Cayenne Corners- 690’- 5.10d/ What makes Cayenne unique is that it offers up three corners and two roofs showcasing classic Red Rock 5.9-5.10 crack climbing.  The first pitch starts in a clean and black varnished left facing corner reminiscent of the crux corner pitch on Sour Mash.   This pitch contains the singular pro bolt on the route (2020).  You top out of the corner and continue into a fun wide crack to a fixed rap ledge out left.  The 2nd pitch contains the crux of the climb, a finger roof traverse out right to a dramatic and committing pull.  The 3rd pitch is unremarkable.  The 4th pitch, again, is made up of a right facing corner to rightward roof pull.  Only this time the roof is hands-fist and the pull out the right end is easier than the 2nd pitch roof.  The 5th pitch is skipped by many and rightfully so unless you are as committed as I am to climbing routes in their entirety.  It passes a piton into a chossy wide finish to another fixed rap. Dow
  • Waterstreak Chimney- 230’- 5.8/
  • After Hours- 245’- 5.10b/
  • Sweet Honey Pumpkin- 335’- 5.10c/
  • It’s a Boy! It’s a Girl!- 495’- 5.10d/


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