Rope-Worn Biner

How dangerous is a rope-worn, sharp-edged biner like this one? Read about it here. Short version: “Though it is unlikely a fall onto a sharp-edged biner would cut your rope, most likely the sheath would get cut exposing the core”

Some Recommended Climbs For Our Trip

For our upcoming trip to the Black Hills, I started a list of some fun climbs that I think the group will enjoy.

At Rushmore, there is “Gossamer,” (pictured at left) “Stardancer,” “Bolts for Bob,”Pelican’s Dyke,” “Tranquil Evening,” and anything on the “Toy Boat” rock. “Waves” is a 2 pitch route and a classic.  Those are just a few of the fun bolted routes at Rushmore area. There are dozens more. “Valdez Overhang “  another great climb, is just a short distance from Rushmore area and worth the hike.

Another area for us to visit is called Moonlight Ridge, which is right near the “Needles Eye” on the Needles Highway. “Wave Runner” is a great, frictiony climb in the Moonlight Ridge area. Several others in this area but I can’t find them online. (I do have the guidebook.)

OK, now that we’ve done all of those, we can go to the Sylvan Lakes area and climb in the Outlets. “Youbet Jourasses” rock has several long 1 pitch climbs. “Lander Turkey Shoot” – below is another classic at Sylvan.

 

 

 

Of course, we’ll also climb in the Tenpins area with the Climbing Coalition. I’m sure we’ll run out of time before we run out of rock, but there is also the Cathedral Spires.

Red Wing Sunday

It was perfect weather even for a whiner like me. No bugs bigger than a couch, warm, shady and low humidity. Rackie, Lisa and I were there and John made a short and rare cameo.

Women’s work is never done as Lisa demonstrates below.

Red Wing Sunday

1ish, anyone-ish? Two-ish of us will be there. Will you-ish?

Fossils At Red Wing

Yesterday, near the top of “Looking for Lust,” I noticed what appear to be tube-shaped fossils. Here’s a guide to the common fossil shapes. Next time you’re up there, check it out.

Red Wing On Friday

In an effort to be Independent, we took off work Friday (yeah, like I ever work) and went climbing at the ol’ RWBB.

Horrors, there were other people there! Lots! Like Jeff and C.J. from VE. Who asked me if I had any friends I was climbing with. “Like, yeah, I have friends” (I think.) “They just aren’t here yet.” (I hope.)

“Well you can climb with us, you poor friendless wretch.” That was very nice of them.  But then RW Ron showed up and I was all set. “Where’s Lisa?” RW Ron asked. “She told me she didn’t really want to see you,” I told Ron, “so buck up, Buttercup, let’s climb.” So he did and we did.

Rackie showed up and then there were 3. Ron led up one climb, traversed, clipped the other route’s anchors, down climbed the 2nd route, climbed back up, over and back down. Nice. Then he went over and climbed up “Looking for Lust” and down climbed the whole route. Then I climbed a new route and Ron climbed up Annadonia. (You know, sometimes I kinda wish my friends didn’t climb so good. So now I am at home biting my pillow.)

 

The Ledge

At the Sears Tower in Chicago, opened The Ledge, an all-glass enclosed balcony 1,350 feet in the air. Video and photos here.

I’m Having Some French Fries To Celebrate

Or maybe some fried ham. This is good news for those of us who live in Minnesota; it’s probably because so many kids climb at VE.

“Mississippi also had the highest rate of obese and overweight children (ages 10 to 17) at 44.4 percent. Minnesota and Utah had the lowest rate at 23.1 percent.”

9 Life Lessons From Rock Climbing

My First Video

I got a hold of a Em's flash drive and made you a movie. It is dedicated to Summer Break and the poverty and beauty of under employment.
I think my next film will capture the glorious and endless mayhem of the Planet of Ender... starring EmJakeLeviHannahJennaRyanJayBenandBen, the other one.

...from the Black Hills Climbers Coalition

The Mount Rushmore Memorial rangers announced today that all rock climbing east of Monster area (i.e., all of Middle Marker, White House Wall, and Emancipation Proclamation) will be closed from midnight Thursday, July 2 till midnight of Friday, July 3 as a part of the July 4 celebration.

Renee Climbs in the Black Hills

With the expert guidance of Russel, Renee, son Chris and hubby, Carl headed off to the Blackhills to climb. They climbed Spire 2 in the Cathedral Spires and Did this 10b climb on Moonlight Ridge.

“6 Things I Learned In Zion”

Is the name of this post about climbing in Zion Park. 

This is my favorite, “Places that are not Southern California have this weird thing called “Weather.” 

Ahh, that is a shame. Luckily, we don’t have that weather problem here.

Whip It, Whip It Good

A short video Lisa shot of Levi at Willow today.

We Went To Taylors Falls & Ended Up At Willow

Lisa and I started driving toward Taylors and ended up at Willow. Sometimes the GPS lies. At Willow, Lisa and I climbed with Ben, Levi and Sam. Lisa and I worked on Daily Grind and Sudden Shock. Sam, Levi and Ben climbed Natural Selection and Leftovers (?) as well as some others. More photos here.