Banana Peel (5.8), on Banana Tower, Castlewood Canyon

Rock: conglomerate sandstone and quartzite

Castlewood Canyon

Castlewood Canyon provides easy climbs close to Denver (one-half hour to 45 minutes), has short approaches (about five minutes) and most routes are toproped. Fred Knapp calls it possibly the best toproping area in the Front Range.

Banana Tower

Banana Tower sits in front of the main wall. To reach the bottom of Banana Tower, walk right along a climber’s trail for several hundred feet to an obvious detached tower in front of the main wall.

Reaching the top of Banana Tower can be tricky. Walk along the cliff top to a detached pillar. Step across the gap (about three feet) to reach the top of the tower. Three bolts provide anchors for several climbs. The bolts lack rappel rings so after toproping, someone gets to retrieve the quickdraws.

Banana Peel 5.8 **

Follow face holds and discontinuous cracks up the left side of the east face of Banana Tower.

Descend:
Walk and scramble down the right side of the cliff, about five minutes.