Independence Monument via Otto's Route (5.9)
June 2, 2010
Although a genuine oddball, John Otto was a brave man. I was reminded this as we cruised up Monument Canyon and Independence Monument loomed into view. This would be my second ascent of the tower but it still caused my senses to flair as my eyes were pulled up steeply. The rock soars upward close to 500 feet from the valley floor and seems impenetrable to any possible ascent. The same view had tempted John Otto a hundred years ago and it drove him to scale the heights. He worked tirelessly for days working his way upward by bounding iron bars into the soft sandstone forming a crude ladder into the sky. He only paused to "rope up" for the final summit overhang. Although Independence is one of the "easiest" towers in the region, Otto's ascent was a tremendous accomplishment. Following his route, it was easy to feel his presence as we grasped the holes left from his ladder. The summit is a wonderful place and feels like an island in the sky.
Although a genuine oddball, John Otto was a brave man. I was reminded this as we cruised up Monument Canyon and Independence Monument loomed into view. This would be my second ascent of the tower but it still caused my senses to flair as my eyes were pulled up steeply. The rock soars upward close to 500 feet from the valley floor and seems impenetrable to any possible ascent. The same view had tempted John Otto a hundred years ago and it drove him to scale the heights. He worked tirelessly for days working his way upward by bounding iron bars into the soft sandstone forming a crude ladder into the sky. He only paused to "rope up" for the final summit overhang. Although Independence is one of the "easiest" towers in the region, Otto's ascent was a tremendous accomplishment. Following his route, it was easy to feel his presence as we grasped the holes left from his ladder. The summit is a wonderful place and feels like an island in the sky.
