North America, United States, Utah, Desert, San Rafael Swell, Cinquenta Tower

Publication Year: 2002.

San Rafael Swell, Cinquenta Tower. On November 3, the day after my 50th birthday, Tim Toula and I made the first ascent of this tower. Paul Ross and I had climbed the first two pitches the day before. The flat-topped tower is located on the north side of the San Rafael River, across from Mexican Mountain and El Sombrero, and can be reached by hiking the closed, unimproved road for about two miles from the gate (before the abandoned airstrip). The four-pitch route (III /IV 5.10 A1) ascends the left side of the south face to bolted belay ledges. The final pitch is an overhanging hand crack that spit out Texas Tower Tim Toula, giving it the A1 rating. A great tower summit with views in all directions!

James Garrett, AAC