Here's to the last 364 days of 2011 in the Boulder Batholith--friends, visitors, regulars, and locals ventured out past where others stopped and found new pebbles to wrassle and cracks to crush. Aside from what I find and pass along, I can offer only this; a photo with light and location that was to my (and now yours) enjoyment 1111!!!!
Met up with Odenbeck and headed out to the Benchlands yesterday. A great tour and walkabout ensued; with a number of new and classic problems being climbed and lots of new possibilities discovered.
2011 is trying to become a memory, but before that happens, the Mojede 4 would like to wish everyone Happy Climbing for the holidays--bust out the new X-mas goodies before nasty ol' January comes and brings the white with it...
A very nice December for bouldering out in the Boulder Batholith. The weather has been very pleasant and it was nice to see new faces in the Trailer Boulders. Always fun to have a new eye on things, as well as added psyche.
I've been out frequently, mostly to the trailers but also a bit of exploring. I got out midweek with the brotherman and explored a portion of Big Pipestone creek. Unfortunately the rock didn't pan out and my dog got his paw stuck in a hunting trap. Yes that's right, keep an eye out for traps. Thankfully Bowie is ok. First time I've run into that out there...We were exploring a pretty remote area though...
In better news the stand start of the smooth overhang, now known as Heart of Darkness, was sent in quick order by Levi (see video). A great problem to be sure...with a desperate sit still waiting to be linked. Molly Rennie also crushed out the project sds on the Misty Boulder, an obvious problem tried by just about everyone who's been to the trailers the last 2 seasons...the Tin Can area is also seeing a lot of action the last couple weeks, and hopefully will continue to see development. Over 150 established problems in the trailers, with many more to do...
A gathering of East meets West in the Middle took place over a few hours in the Trailer Boulders of the 'Lith--Missoula, Bozeman, and Butte showed up in the autumn-like temps to pull pebbles. On board were: TK, Clay, Luke, Derek, Ron, Podenbeck, (and 2 others who names escape me) from the 'Zone; while Levi, Brandon, Molly represented the 'Zoo--Lyddie, Ladd, and myself made an appearance as the locals :-)
One of many outings in the Batholith joining different tribes of Montana climbers--sans FIRE !
Starting from the Wedge proper trailhead and arcing towards it by skirting a private inholding and following a main grouping of spires Eastward towards the Wedge--I believe the large formation to be "The Hand" on the BLM map at the TH.
Here's a few from a Tuesday evening session at the Lazy V hosted by Clay.
Clay training for the Batholith....
Fruh getting silly
nice pants
There's always going to be someone stronger, have fun and stop taking climbing so seriously. Seriously.
Another great session at the best bouldering cave in the valley. Like an over 21 show for plastic pulling heathens. Super anti-batholith style, and that's kinda nice.
Yesterday I headed out with T-willy to the Trailers for a bit of a circuit. The day was calm and sunny, it was nice to be climbing in a tshirt again. As of yesterday the Desert was dry and the Trailers are mostly dry with a light dusting in places.
Blood Feather, Dagmar's Boulder
Cobble Problem, Teardrop Boulder
We ended up climbing around 15 problems, though I only dug the camera out twice. All and all a nice day moving over warm stone.
A Batholith "Standard" for overnight/long-term staying in the Batholith. Tom's luck and research landed a nice vintage '67 made by Aristocrat--Shasta made a version as well during the mid-'60's though the sales (and quality?) were less...
These units were garageable with interchangeable steel rims--uber cool :-)
