Texas Tower Direct
5.12d trad · 6 pitches · 500 ft · ★★★★
Route 4 of 17 from left to right on The Texas Wall / West Velvet Wall, with The Velvet Tongue on its left and Texanephrine on its right. The Texas Wall / West Velvet Wall has 17 routes, from 5.9 to 5.13a PG13; 1 is harder.
First ascent: John Rosholt - 1997
Description
Texas Tower Direct is a great, sustained rock climb on bulletproof rock. When linked with the upper half of Texas Hold 'Em, this makes for one of the best long, hard routes in Red Rocks -- rivaling even the Rainbow Wall. Begin 100' right of the start of Epinephrine.
Protection
Single set from 0.3 to #2 Camalot. Lots of draws.
Access
The 13-mile Scenic Drive requires a timed-entry reservation October to May and has seasonal gate hours. Calico Basin and Kraft Mountain sit outside the Scenic Drive and need no reservation.
Wet rock: Aztec sandstone loses much of its strength when wet. Do not climb for at least 24 to 48 hours after rain or snowmelt, or holds break off and routes are permanently damaged.
More routes on The Texas Wall / West Velvet Wall
- Wax Cracks Extension (Open Project) 5.12b/c
- The Shuffle 5.13a PG13
- The Velvet Tongue 5.12+
- Plein Air 5.11
- Black Mamba 5.10 PG13
- Wax Cracks 5.9
- Ancient Futures 5.12b
- The Velveteen Rabbit 5.12a PG13
- Twixt Cradle and Stone 5.10+
- Lone Star 5.11
- Yellow Rose of Texas 5.11
- Velvet Revolver 5.11b
- Tri Tip 5.11d X
- Great Expectations 5.9 PG13
- Texas Hold 'Em 5.11c
- Texanephrine 5.10d