The Black Hills

Earlier in the week, Kendra and I climbed in the needles in South Dakota. Very awesome place if you have never been!

We wanted to climb some old Conn routes. One of the routes that we choose to do was this; http://mountainproject.com/v/south_dakota/custer_state_park/outlets/105714734
The Conn Diagonal. If you know anything about Trad routes put up in the 50's, 5.7 can be scary, and NOT 5.7. Well, needless to say, we didn't do the whole route....when we thought we did. We did a bit of a variation of the route.

We started in the chimney to the far left of the face and traversed the whole ledge! We didn't have a guidebook with us as we were out for an adventure. So, that traverse is scary, exposed and super fun all at the same time. It is 1/2 way between climbing, crawling, sliding, and holding on for dear life. I lead the whole route and it was quite a ride. You should ask Kendra sometime for her thoughts on the route....and she was only following.

I will post some pics soon

CLIMB UP

Be there! or go and do something else, but don't just sit on your ass!

Really Really ridiculously good looking

A week ago Karen, Greg, Kendra and I climbed Grey Waves;
http://mountainproject.com/v/international/north_america/canada/105933053
Fun line, will do it again anytime!





Kendra leading the first pitch of a 5 pitch route. It was all bolted and with fun roof moves to climb on two of the pitches, it made for a nice evening after work. The haze in the background is the smoke pouring over the range form the fires in BC. There was smoke all the way into Calgary last week, I am happy it is gone now!