Five more classic routes in the Black Canyon of the Gunnison By Luke Laeser
The Casual Route (II 5.8) Ideal for the first time visitor to the Black Canyon of the Gunnison and perfect if you only have a couple hours. It is located on the first good section of cliff as you descend into SOB Gully before you get the Debutante’s Ball Buttress and the Comic Relief Buttress (Debutante’s Ball IV 5.11 is also a great route with a few quality pitches). The Casual Route doesn’t have much splitter climbing in its 4-7 pitches but it gives you a good taste of what the climbing and rock are like. Bring a standard Black rack.
The Russian Arête (IV 5.9) This 1962 Layton Kor classic was usually chosen as one's first Black Canyon route until Comic Relief gained popularity. Don’t let the route's discouraging name deter you; it’s not really like Russian roulette and has cleaned up quite a bit over the last 45 years. The approach to the start of the route is a little bit longer than SOB Gully routes but should only take 45 minutes. Climb for 6 to 8 pitches up mostly solid rock through some splitter sections until the climbing eases off to scrambling. Bring a standard Black rack and start early. Southern Arête (V 5.10+) Another Kor classic, this route offers a Black-load of adventure at a “moderate” grade on the biggest formation in the canyon. A long approach guards lots of difficult route finding and a crux near the top of the wall. A team from Colorado had an epic experience on this route over 4 days in winter 2001 that began with a 5-mile ski to the rim since the road into the park is closed in winter and rarely plowed. Unless you are speedy and able to do some simul-climbing, you could epic — so be prepared on all routes in the canyon. Bring a standard Black rack and start very early.
Checkerboard Wall (III 5.10+) The pegmatite criss-crosser is a quality 4- to 6-pitch climb on good stone with a short approach that’s ideal if you don’t have enough time for a full route. If you dispatch Comic Relief in a hurry and are not ready to drink beers on the rim — run over and do this. Bring a standard Black rack.
The Scenic Cruise (V 5.10+) Without a doubt, this is the most sought-after route in the canyon, drawing a majority of the traffic in the Black every weekend. The climbing is very sustained between countless ledges on which to recover. Many climbers finish in the dark, due to traffic congestion. Be prepared with a headlamp, lots of food and water, and sunscreen (don’t forget that every route on this side of the canyon bakes). There is always someone on this route — so if you want it to yourself — schedule a weekday visit or start really, really, REALLY early. If you get to the base of the route and decide there’s too much traffic to deal with (the board at the ranger station where you registered will indicate activity to help you avoid this problem) Journey Home IV 5.10- back up the Cruise gully is also a great climb. Bring a standard Black rack with a few extra finger-to-hand sized pieces, and lots of runners and draws.
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