John Otto Climbs Independence Monument

Climbing Otto's Route Today

Brian and Bana enjoying an ascent of Otto's Route on Independence Monument.

Photo © Stewart M. Green

Now Otto’s Route, minus its pipes, is one of the most popular tower climbs on the Colorado Plateau and in western Colorado. Almost every weekend climbers scale its cracks and chimneys by grabbing the empty pipe holes for secure handholds and stepping in the sandy footholds that Otto chiseled almost 100 years ago. It doesn’t get any better than that. John, thanks for the great climbing. You're the man!

Index: John Otto Climbs Independence Monument

1. Colorado National Monument
2. The Monument's Geology
3. John Otto: Father of Colorado National Monument
4. John Otto Loved the American Flag
5. John Otto's Ladder of Pipes
6. The Grand Junction Daily News Reports on Otto's Feat
7. John Otto Unfurls Old Glory Atop Independence Monument
8. Climbing Otto's Route Today