The initial plan of this long weekend climbing trip was to go to the Black Canyon of the Gunnison. But an unsettled weather forecast forced us to pivot. We decided to go to Moab and climb a few classic routes. The forecast was for 40% rain on Saturday and sun on Sunday. We decided to take the chance.
On Saturday morning we climbed
Kor-Ingalls (5.9+, 4p) on Castleton Tower. Castleton Tower is probably the most famous desert tower in the world, and was the first major tower climbed in the Moab area. The
Kor-Ingalls route is one of the 50 Classic Climbs of North America. This is one of the earliest modern desert routes, put up by the dynamic duo of astrophysicist Huntley Ingalls and the incomparable Layton Kor in September of 1961. It is a pretty moderate tower route. Though it climbs wide, you don't need any wide gear.
After climbing
Kor-Ingalls, the rain had still not arrived, so we decided to have a quick lunch to head back up Castleton via the
North Chimney (5.9, 4p) (click link for that trip report). What a fun 2-route day! And because of the iffy forecast, we had these two popular routes to ourselves!
On Sunday we climbed
Fine Jade (5.11, 4-5p) (click link for trip report) on The Rectory. What a great weekend of tower climbing.
This page gives a route overlay and pitch-by-pitch photos from the climb.