...and then there's this beautiful crag of smaller proportions that boasts 6 climbable cracks on it :-)
Anyone want to go climb some cracks?
Thursday, September 29, 2011
The Land of 100 Cracks grows
Expanding my search of this massive crack zone, I uncovered these awaiting de-flowering...
...and then there's this beautiful crag of smaller proportions that boasts 6 climbable cracks on it :-)
Anyone want to go climb some cracks?
...and then there's this beautiful crag of smaller proportions that boasts 6 climbable cracks on it :-)
Anyone want to go climb some cracks?
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Saturday, September 24, 2011
The Continental Divide and Trail
After the completion of the CDT large areas of boulderfields, klettergardens, and ridge/gully systems have opened up for easier access to climbers. The super-cruiser trail on both sides of the Interstate (and connecting with Harding Way) make for fast entry deep into the Batholith--time saved to once, hard to reach areas and zones.
Some photos of pebbles that I thought were the most worthy--these are on the South side of I-90, 30 minutes or less from the car, and amongst tons of others...
The boulder version of Dick Cilley's "Testicle Festival "
Go get 'em while they're hot... (well, cooling down actually)
Some photos of pebbles that I thought were the most worthy--these are on the South side of I-90, 30 minutes or less from the car, and amongst tons of others...
The boulder version of Dick Cilley's "Testicle Festival "
Go get 'em while they're hot... (well, cooling down actually)
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
West Rosebud Trail Siders
My buddy Brandon and I made an attempt at Granite Peak last weekend--It was dry for the 3 miles to Mystic Lake (which would make the best trail back country boulder trip), but drizzle turning to light rain changed our plans. Note: Taking pads for a day trip up this trail would make for a good outing.
Some photos of the pebbles along the way--note, the boulder with the "mini-pond" in front of it in the following is further up trail, past Huckleberry and Princess Lakes
Boulder across from the "mini-pond boulder
...snow in the higher elevations forced us down back to the car--overall, a good mission to familiarize myself with the West Rosebud drainage.
Some photos of the pebbles along the way--note, the boulder with the "mini-pond" in front of it in the following is further up trail, past Huckleberry and Princess Lakes
Boulder across from the "mini-pond boulder
...snow in the higher elevations forced us down back to the car--overall, a good mission to familiarize myself with the West Rosebud drainage.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Dex's Hunting Camp
This last weekend, Kevin, Orrin, and I ventured into the Absaroka Range for a bit of bouldering. We rolled out of Livingston into the Paradise...through a ranch and up into the rolling foothills. Kevin visited this area over 10 years ago...a small cirque up a blocked drainage, mainly used for guided hunting. Kevin promised a shorter than usual hike and great potential. I was not disappointed.
We set up camp and began exploring...
and scrambling...
We then shoe-d up and knocked off about a dozen or so problems
We bouldered until evening and headed back to camp...
Crazy thing...this cirque is perched in a way that cell reception is no problem....a bit weird though...
The next morning we set back out to try a few more things and do a bit more exploring before heading down. Orrin found a really nice wall with a couple lines the day before, so we headed out to give it a go. The main line is a slanting seam through a black wall...hard, overhung, aesthetic, and tall...I had to give it some goes...
This will be a great line...though it's beyond me at the moment...
We wandered about, trying a few more lines, and checking out an adjacent ridgeline
Eventually we packed up camp and headed down...scoping a couple on the way out...
Overall it was a great weekend in a new area with tons of potential and rock yet to be explored. Hopefully we will be back soon... Cheers! TK
We set up camp and began exploring...
and scrambling...
We then shoe-d up and knocked off about a dozen or so problems
We bouldered until evening and headed back to camp...
Crazy thing...this cirque is perched in a way that cell reception is no problem....a bit weird though...
The next morning we set back out to try a few more things and do a bit more exploring before heading down. Orrin found a really nice wall with a couple lines the day before, so we headed out to give it a go. The main line is a slanting seam through a black wall...hard, overhung, aesthetic, and tall...I had to give it some goes...
This will be a great line...though it's beyond me at the moment...
We wandered about, trying a few more lines, and checking out an adjacent ridgeline
Eventually we packed up camp and headed down...scoping a couple on the way out...
Overall it was a great weekend in a new area with tons of potential and rock yet to be explored. Hopefully we will be back soon... Cheers! TK
Thursday, September 1, 2011
2nd Annual Butte Bouldering Bash - wrap up
What a great weekend!!
I want to thank all the competitors, participants, volunteers, and everyone who came out in support of the SMCC.
Most of the volunteers and a handful of psyched bash-goers rolled in on Friday to get everything in order. A large tent city assembled, along with a raised scamp that made its way up the sneaker road. Proud!
The evening ensued with folks appearing through-out the night. Drinking and greeting gave way to midnight bouldering, laughs could be heard deep in the woods through the darkness. The people were stoked.
The morning came quickly and I ran about with Kevin, getting the problems marked.
Soon folks were registered and heading up the hill for the competitors meeting/welcome
In a flash folks were shoeing up with La Sportiva and Scarpa and venturing onto the boulders to warm up and start explore..
Before I knew it the BBQ was rolling and folks were filtering in to have some local beef, graciously donated by our friend Meesh. Clay, her and a couple others headed up the afternoon BBQ and did a tremendous job. A huge thank you! We couldn't have pulled this off nearly as smooth without ya'll. Currently I'm missing shots from the BBQ, but hopefully I can get some pics added soon.
Tallest and shortest competitors hangin at the BBQ (Photo by: K. Hutchinson)
The heat of the day was fairly intense, and some people went to seek shade and have a short reprieve from the boulders and sun. Others headed right back to battle.
It was a great comp and very friendly.
I was psyched to see Dominick get the FA of the Taco Chip project and subsequently take 1st overall. Nice job!
The winners are as follows:
Youth: Dominick
Men's: Peder
Women's: Inge
Missing a pic at the moment...hoping I can get one soon!
It was also very cool to see Ladd take 3rd in the youth division. Smiles and cheers went up when it was announced. Nice climbing Ladd!
A massive raffle ensued, and folks were grinning ear to ear choosing from a smörgåsbord of stuff. A huge thanks to our supporters and sponsors helping us make this happen.
Huge thanks to:
Organic Climbing Mats
Mystery Ranch Backpacks
La Sportiva
Scarpa
Conrad Anker and The North Face
Smith Optics
Eagle Nest Outfitters
Northern Lights Trading Company
Derek Thomas and DT Designs
Spire Climbing Center
Rock On
DJAJ
Homestake Lodge
Clay Adams and The Circle Lazy V Bar
Patrick and Loni Odenbeck
Jeremy Champion (Jeremy also took the majority of pics for this blog post, Thanks Jer!)
Brandon Smith
Loren Rausch
Pete Tapley
Chris Ebeling
Kevin Hutchinson
and everyone else lending a helpful hand....I'm surely missing someone, and for that I apologize.
We couldn't have done it without you and the SMCC and the Montana climbing community is stronger for it!
The night rounded out with a rockin dance party under the tent featuring DJAJ. SWEET!
I want to thank all the competitors, participants, volunteers, and everyone who came out in support of the SMCC.
Most of the volunteers and a handful of psyched bash-goers rolled in on Friday to get everything in order. A large tent city assembled, along with a raised scamp that made its way up the sneaker road. Proud!
Photo by: K. Hutchinson
The evening ensued with folks appearing through-out the night. Drinking and greeting gave way to midnight bouldering, laughs could be heard deep in the woods through the darkness. The people were stoked.
The morning came quickly and I ran about with Kevin, getting the problems marked.
Photo by: K. Hutchinson
Soon folks were registered and heading up the hill for the competitors meeting/welcome
In a flash folks were shoeing up with La Sportiva and Scarpa and venturing onto the boulders to warm up and start explore..
It was great to see so many new faces out in support of the SMCC, and awesome to see people teaming up and working problems together.
Photo by: K. Hutchinson
Before I knew it the BBQ was rolling and folks were filtering in to have some local beef, graciously donated by our friend Meesh. Clay, her and a couple others headed up the afternoon BBQ and did a tremendous job. A huge thank you! We couldn't have pulled this off nearly as smooth without ya'll. Currently I'm missing shots from the BBQ, but hopefully I can get some pics added soon.
The heat of the day was fairly intense, and some people went to seek shade and have a short reprieve from the boulders and sun. Others headed right back to battle.
Photo: G. Hughbanks
Photo by: K. Hutchinson
The day winded down and folks filtered into the lodge for beer, more BBQ and the evening festivities.
We had great support and the bash attendees were stoked on all the gear!
It was a great comp and very friendly.
I was psyched to see Dominick get the FA of the Taco Chip project and subsequently take 1st overall. Nice job!
The winners are as follows:
Youth: Dominick
Men's: Peder
Women's: Inge
Missing a pic at the moment...hoping I can get one soon!
It was also very cool to see Ladd take 3rd in the youth division. Smiles and cheers went up when it was announced. Nice climbing Ladd!
A massive raffle ensued, and folks were grinning ear to ear choosing from a smörgåsbord of stuff. A huge thanks to our supporters and sponsors helping us make this happen.
Organic Climbing Mats
Mystery Ranch Backpacks
La Sportiva
Scarpa
Conrad Anker and The North Face
Smith Optics
Eagle Nest Outfitters
Northern Lights Trading Company
Derek Thomas and DT Designs
Spire Climbing Center
Rock On
DJAJ
Homestake Lodge
Clay Adams and The Circle Lazy V Bar
Patrick and Loni Odenbeck
Jeremy Champion (Jeremy also took the majority of pics for this blog post, Thanks Jer!)
Brandon Smith
Loren Rausch
Pete Tapley
Chris Ebeling
Kevin Hutchinson
and everyone else lending a helpful hand....I'm surely missing someone, and for that I apologize.
We couldn't have done it without you and the SMCC and the Montana climbing community is stronger for it!
The night rounded out with a rockin dance party under the tent featuring DJAJ. SWEET!
Photo by: G. Hughbanks
Overall it was a blast! It was great to see folks coming from all over to support the Southwest Montana Climbers Coalition, raising money for access, making new connections and friends within our climbing community, and strengthening our ties.
Thanks again for coming out, and hopefully we'll see ya again next year. Hopefully sooner!
Cheers!
Tom Kingsbury
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