The Big Thompson Yard Sale

Climb easier terrain to a small bulge feature at the large, left-angling ledge/crack system, then head up line of bolts essentially directly over the bolt line to a set of chains. Either rap, lower, etc., or take a moment to sit on top of the large podium at the top of the Loose-ifer Buttress. You get nice views either way.

CAUTION:

at least a 70m long rope is necessary for lowering/rapping from this route; tie knots in the ends just in case. The narrow and ledgy area at the base of this route is fairly stable for belaying, but the ledges drop abruptly to steep scree and the lower cliff that drops precipitously down to the river. Also, when pulling the rope, take care to watch for any rock that the rope might latch onto from the large, angling crack/ledge system about halfway up.

It wouldn’t be too much of a stretch to estimate that upwards of a ton of loose rock was removed from Yard Sale when putting it up. During that time, equipment had been stashed so that it wouldn’t get impacted by the rockfall. One participant has a habit of unpacking his pack completely, spreading his useful and necessary items along the crag bottom. A fellow climber commented that the gear along the base resembled a classic suburban Yard Sale, thus the name.

This is the first of the longer routes at the left (west) end of the taller cliffline (it is just left of a green, lichened buttress, lovingly referred to as the Loose-ifer Buttress).

12 bolts and chains.