More Holiday Treats

Over the weekend I made another recon mission out to the area that is in the previous post.  Yet again this new zone does not disappoint at all.  This place is amazing- here are a couple photo excerpts.

Just the beginning

large slab

Interesting patina arete

Cracks

Tall slab

Tall, featured and scary

Across from main gully

 I had seen some of this gully from another vantage point previously and this is where I really wanted to check out.  It appeared to be chalked full of boulders and it turned out that it is.  Lots of potential in here and it is not at all like any of the other areas in the Batholith that I have seen before.  These pictures do not do it justice some of these blocks are 25-30' tall.

The gully

Crazy blocks

 

Overhangs

Crazy tall and featured dolum!!!!

Cool overhang

Rail

Classic 70s graffiti 

Overhanging seam this is huge like 15-20" deep

Big traverese

More unexplored

More unexplored

Tall and interesting

Big Boy

Huge Slab

 These hallways I mentioned in the previous post but got no photos.  This is the first climbable rock that you come to on the approach.  Looks like some great warm ups.

Hallway 1

Hallway 2

Hallway 3

Hallway 4

Yeah there is a lot to do here.  Starting to get a feel how to approach the goods.  Can't wait to pluck some of these gems!

L8er,

Patrick

The Batholith... the gift that keeps on giving!

Tom and I had discussed visiting this spot for a long time.  It seemed very promising.  So with some time on my hands and under partly cloudy skies I went with out solo this Saturday with some reasonable expectations and was not disappointed at all. The Batholith just keeps on giving just like the Jelly of the month club! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1K8-kNuDgoA

After making the terrible approach of  roughly 100 yds. I came across a couple cool hallways loaded with potential and really bomber rock sorry no pics of those.  After a bit I decided I should shoot some photos.

Corners

Then I worked my way toward where I thought the better blocks would be... it was nice to be right.

Um yeah!!!

Projecting

Large big block in the trees

Tall seam lines anyone?

Wide, layback or bear hug?

Nice tall crack with some more options

All still unexplored

All in all it was a great day.  I was able to send about 10 different problems.  There were so many climbable blocks and it is super concentrated.  This area is pretty massive it is gonna take awhile to figure out how big it actually is...  I am really psyched on the potential.

L8er,
podenbeck

Herman's Gulch

Some close to the road climbs--knobs and small crystals are the rule, rather than the exception here; an area which is non Interstate, or Highway accessed, true Butte local climbing :-)

The last two pics are more of a "Big Boy" problem

Jumble Gym - Benchlands

The weather didn't look great, the chance of rain was near 50% depending on the forecast...sounded prime for heading into the Benchlands.

Odenbeck and I headed in to further explore this immense area. Even after 5 or so years, I am still getting a handle on this labyrinth. The sheer size of the area in combination with the extreme amount of jumbling makes navigating and exploring a difficult task.  I'm not discouraged, but rather inspired to further grasp this zone...every trip clarifies the area a bit more...

Rail to aframe potential...along with a wicked hard looking overhang on the other side

Thin face

fingers

After a bit of exploring we headed to the upper central area to show Patrick a couple problems and a project I cleaned up awhile back...

Project

working/getting worked

getting closer

Odenbeck came extremely close to sending. Even after a split tip he put in a great effort. Psyched to go back and keep working this.

strange features

highball...and featured

Overall a good day exploring and working a great project...I get a feeling we'll be out in the Benchlands quite a bit this season....

Cheers
Tom

3rd Annual Butte Bouldering Bash - Recap

Well I must say that the 3rd Annual Butte Bouldering Bash was a success!

A new area with a new guide, lots of new and familiar faces, more competitors than ever before, new models  of great shoes to demo, plenty of dogs, a great BBQ, and a huge pile goodness to raffle off; all in the name of fundraising for a great cause, the Southwest Montana Climbers Coalition

Photos from Jeremy Champion & Patrick Odenbeck

Greeting and Meeting

Headed into the Trailers

La Sportiva booth

Padded Posse

The day started off a bit overcast, but the weather held, and sending temps ensued.  It was great to wander about and see so many folks on so many different problems. Many problems were repeated that previously had very few, and sometimes only once ascent. Lots of strong folks eagerly testing there tips against a new set of stones.

Bloodfeather

Beer Goggles Project

Rec Specs

Wide Crack

Prowler

Mid-day came soon enough and the first BBQ was in full action. We wrangled people back up to the parking area for a quick break and some food. Soon enough though they were headed back for more.

Airstream

Blood Feather

The afternoon continued with more problems being explored, climbed, and climbed again. A few even strayed from the comp problems to check out some of the other offerings the trailer boulders has to offer.

Dagmar's Traverse

The day wound down, and folks headed back upto the lot.  There they found the 2nd BBQ in full force, kegs tapped, and a smorgasbord of prizes to ogle.

BBQ!

Tech Organic Digicamo!

The Phoenix 

The competition was tight this year, though friendly as always! Cool to see the win came down to a flash!

Men's 18&up winner: Dominic Speranza 

Women's 18&up winner: Gabrielle Anonioli

More winners coverage in the next post, sufficed to say, alot of strong folks out having a good time for a good cause!

and into the raffle action!

Thanks again for everyone coming out and supporting a great cause! Hope to see you next year, and hopefully sooner out among the stones....

Huge thanks to:

Organic Climbing

Scarpa

La Sportiva

Mystery Ranch

Hippy Tree

Dolomite Climbing Bags

Black Diamond

Smith Optics

Eagles Nest Outfitters

Liberty Mountain

The North Face

Spire Climbing Center

Prana

Climb On!