As leaves begin to fall, Buffs and Boulderites soak up the last colors of the season. Donning sweaters and sipping lattes, students welcome the brisk Autumn weather and cloudy skies. Here, vibrant yellow trees stand out against the misty Flatirons. 

Photo courtesy of Laurel Witt (Law'17). View more of Laurel's photography on Instagram.

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It wouldn't be summertime in Boulder without a cloudless blue sky and a high above 90. As this week rolls into a heat wave, campus' pristine lawns can offer a moment of solice with shady spots and unobstructed Flatiron views. This spot on the business school lawn is especially serene. 

Photo courtesy Tomoko Borsa (MElEngr'03) 

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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:

1. The rocks are nearly 300 million-years-old, taking their current form roughly 60 million years ago.
2. Some other names for the Flatirons include “The Craqs” and “Chatauqua Slabs.”
3. Chautauqua is believed to be an Iroquois word meaning “a bag tied in the middle,” or “two moccasins tied together.”
4. The rock formation is made of feldspar-rich sandstone.
5. The fifth peak is the lowest at 6,900 feet.
6. At 7,630 feet, the fourth peak is the highest.
7. In 1953, Dale Johnson (Geol'54) climbed the third peak on roller skates using ropes and belays.
8. They have an average slope of 55 degrees.
9. 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.
10. 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

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No matter the season, the Flatirons are always beautiful. Here are 10 great places to view them:

1. Farrand Field
2. University Memorial Center (UMC) rooftop terrace
3. Business Field
4. Duane Physics and Astrophysics 11th floor Commons Room
5. Folsom Field
6. Center for Academic Success and Engagement (CASE) terrace
7. Center for British and Irish Studies room
8. Kittredge Field
9. Norlin Quad
10. CU Events Center

Photo by Glenn Asakawa

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Boulder’s Third Flatiron is notorious for drawing climbers with wild ambitions. Since the 1950s people have summited in all kinds of gear, including roller skates. At least one man climbed naked.

In January, CU Boulder senior Rilyn VandeMerwe (EnvDes’18) put his own stamp on the tradition: He made the climb in a wet suit, snorkel, goggles, prop oxygen tank and flippers. He and two friends reached the summit in less than two hours.

“I am constantly trying to find new ways to explore and have fun in Chautauqua,” he said.

In addition to the scuba ascent, VandeMerwe established what he calls the “Flatiron Triple Crown” — climbing the first, second and third Flatirons while carrying along a hobby horse.

His next goal? Climbing all 54 Colorado fourteeners by the time he graduates in the fall. He’s got 14 to go.
 

Photo courtesy Luke Brigham 

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On Halloween, an eerie mist clung to the Flatirons. Mark Malin (EnvCon'83; PhDSpan'96) wrote on CU's main Facebook page: “How many other campuses have a view like that? None!”

Photo by Glenn Asakawa 

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Boulder was unusually rainy last week, and the gloomy weather continued into Monday, but the Flatirons occasionally still managed to peek through the clouds as seen in this photo taken Sept. 28. Lucky for Buffs walking to class, normal fall temperatures and sunshine are set to be back by tomorrow.

Photo by Casey A. Cass.

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Students taking a Maymester course on campus trudged through a mid-May snow storm that blanketed campus with heavy snow beginning Thursday, May 18. By Saturday morning, the sun was back and the campus landscape appeared green and lush. 

Photo by Melissa Cech 

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Snow-capped Rocky Mountains greeted all who commuted into Boulder from the US 36 highway or the 18-mile bikeway, which opened early last year. As the spring semester draws to a close, traffic along the highway will increase significantly for CU Boulder graduation ceremonies The main commencement ceremony will occur in Folsom Field Friday, May 12 beginning at 8:30 a.m. 

Photo by Casey A. Cass 

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April welcomed Bouder with a chilly start — the high Saturday, April 1 was only 41 degrees. But in typical Colorado fashion, students arrived back on campus from Spring Break Monday with blue skies and warm weather. Here, CU Boulder campus photographer Glenn Asakawa (Jour'86) captures the snow-dusted Flatirons from afar. 

Photo by Glenn Asakawa 

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