Tiger Crack
5.12c trad · 2 pitches · 200 ft · ★★★★
Route 6 of 16 from left to right on Cloud Tower, with Spare Rib on its left and The Clod Tower on its right. Cloud Tower has 16 routes, from 5.8 to 5.12c; this is the hardest.
First ascent: Dan McQuade... I think.
Description
So there is a burly crack in Red Rocks! Tiger Crack is a demanding pitch that calls upon a variety of skills. Begin by schwacking through some scrub oak to a dirty little belay below a lichenous, low-angle hand crack in an alcove - this is just left of Crimson and immediately left of the obvious corner of Clod Tower.
Protection
1 each 0.4-#6 Camalots Extra #1's and #2's Slings and draws
Hikes, approaches and descents
- Fastest Juniper Approach — Class 2
- Fastest Cloud & Ginger Approach — Class 2
- Cloud Tower Approach — Class 2
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 Cloud Tower
- Cloud Tower 5.12a
- It's a Girl - It's a Boy ! 5.10
- Hook, Line, and Whimper 5.10- R
- Test Tube 5.9+
- Crimson Chrysalis 5.8+
- Thagomizer 5.10
- Pachyderm 5.9 R
- Laceration Spur 5.9
- Spare Rib 5.8
- The Clod Tower 5.10c
- The Disciple 5.10b/c R
- Thag-Hag 5.9
- Black and Tan 5.11-
- Black Cloud 5.12b
- The Far Side 5.11b PG13