Tunnel Vision, Red Rocks Route Photo

Tunnel Vision 5.7

Angel Food Wall

  • Tunnel Vision Sun ExposureRoute quality:
  • Tunnel Vision First AscentJoe Herbst and Randal Grandstaff , 1974
  • Tunnel Vision Pitch InfoNumber of pitches: 6
  • Tunnel Vision Approach TimeApproach Time: 30-40 minutes
  • Tunnel Vision Climbing TimeClimbing Time: 3-5 hours
  • Tunnel Vision Descent timeDescent Time: 1-1½ hours to car
  • Tunnel Vision Sun ExposureSun exposure: Rare sun exposure (many NE corners)

    • About the Climb

    Tunnel Vision is a unique combination of climbing and a little bit of caving. Bring your headlamp for the long, dark tunnel. The climbing is a great mix of face and wide cracks/chimneys, but the tunnel pitch is really why people flock to Tunnel Vision. It goes up the Angel Food Wall in 6 interesting, unique and enjoyable pitches. A line of waiting parties at the base of Tunnel Vision is not uncommon, so come prepared with alternatives, avoid in high season, or bring a good book.

    Tunnel Vision (Red Rocks) GearLoopTopo {Tunnel Vision (Red Rocks) GearLoopTopo

    Low Resolution GearLoopTopo Preview

    Minimum order of 3 GearLoopTopos

    The GearLoopTopo

    Our GearLooptopo for Tunnel Vision contains all the information you need for the climb, starting from the White Rock Springs parking. This parking is located about halway along the Scenic Drive.

    Possible Combinations

    Stilgar's Wild Ride (5.8) is right next to Tunnel Vision. It shares the same first pitch, and uses the same belay just before the tunnel pitch. If Tunnel Vision is busy, you can use Stilgar's Wild Ride to reach the tunnel and continue on Tunnel Vision. However, staying on Stilgar's won't be disapointing, as this is one of its finest pitches. Note that Stilgar's Wild Ride is a spicy route for the grade and has some interesting (runout) chimney climbing.

    If you want to climb another route on Angel Food Wall, you'll have to walk off and return to the base. This takes about 30-45 minutes. You can climb Group Therapy (5.7), which has nice climbing on wide cracks from start to finish. Another great new and varied route is Purblind Pillar (5.8), which starts only a few yards to the right of Group Therapy.

    Similar Climbs

    Group Therapy (5.7), Purblind Pillar (5.8), and Stilgar's Wild Ride (5.8) on Angel Food Wall are all a little similar to Tunnel Vision, although they don't have the amazing tunnel pitch.

    For other great classics with varied climbing at a similar grade, you can try Olive Oil (5.7) or Birdland (5.7+) in Pine Creek Canyon. Both have fewer cracks and more face climbing than Tunnel Vision.

    One step up in difficulty is Frogland (5.8) in Black Velvet Canyon. Frogland is one of the most popular classics at its grade in Red Rocks due to its great varied climbing in a wonderful setting. So get up early, or be prepared to wait.

    Tunnel Vision and Angel Food Wall, Red Rocks Back to Red Rocks overview

    1. Tunnel Vision (5.7)
    2. Group Therapy (5.7)
    3. Purblind Pillar (5.8)

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    routes overview

    Download the Tunnel Vision PDF file or visit the PDF Center.

    version 2.3.2