I made it out the the Neat Rock Boulders a couple times in the last few weeks and I have to say I was impressed! There aren’t a ton of problems there, but it’s close to Bozeman (40 minute drive + 1-10 minute hike), excellent stone, and a good concentration of fun problems. Download a copy of Loren Rausch’s guide for the Madison River Bouldering and check it out! Here’s a few of my favorites:
-Everything on the Neat Boulder (V0-V4). An excellent warm-up boulder about 60 seconds from the car. I really enjoyed the right arete – technical & balancy.
– Tick Season V0+, a weird, somewhat awkward finger crack with a tricky finish.
– Yesteryear V6, crimps to excellent slopers. The gneiss here has some of the best slopers around Bozeman.
– the Butterfly Effect V6, a perfect two-mover on immaculate stone. It’s right near the top of the hill with a great view of the Madison Valley as well.
Myself on the Butterfly Effect
I put together a little video with a few of the problems I did. Enjoy!
If you’re psyched to head out there, I’d recommend going sooner rather than later. It will probably start getting over-run with rattlesnakes and ticks in the next month or so. Although the 10-15 inches of snow we’re supposed to get tomorrow might keep the nasties hibernating just a little longer…
-EC
Bouldering Montana 