It might not be hyperbole to call the Flatirons CU’s biggest recruiting tool. Here's 10 facts you might not know about Boulder's most famous landmark:
The rocks are nearly 300 million-years-old, taking their current form roughly 60 million years ago.- Some other names for the Flatirons include “The Craqs” and “Chatauqua Slabs.”
- Chautauqua is believed to be an Iroquois word meaning “a bag tied in the middle,” or “two moccasins tied together.”
- The rock formation is made of feldspar-rich sandstone.
- The fifth peak is the lowest at 6,900 feet.
- At 7,630 feet, the fourth peak is the highest.
- In 1953, Dale Johnson (Geol'54) climbed the third peak on roller skates using ropes and belays.
- They have an average slope of 55 degrees.
- A white “CU” was painted on the side of the third flatiron until the city painted over it in 1980: It is still visible to keen-eyed observers.
- In 2010, Stefan Griebel (ElEngr'97; MS'00) speed-climbed the east face of the third Flatiron in only 5 minutes 59 seconds.
Photo by Casey Cass
