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Looks like fall is coming to an end and winter is arriving as I type this.  63 to -6 in two days, gotta love Montana!  Can’t complain too much since it was a pretty damn nice fall that lasted a little longer than we normally hope for.  Here’s some photos from all around Southwest Montana:

Lucky Strike near Homestake Pass (Batholith)

Moonshine Boulder (New World Gulch)

Yankee Jim

The Angel Boulders (Tobacco Roots)

-EC

Like many climbers, I enjoy my lists.  Now that it’s 2014, I had to take a look back at the year that was 2013.  For the first time in my climbing life, I had a pretty solid balance between sport climbing and bouldering, if you look at the year as a whole.  I went to Hueco in February (which is heavily featured in this list, for good reason), bouldered for about 2 months around Bozeman, then turned full-time sport climber for more than 4 months.  Since this is supposed to be a bouldering blog, I’ll stick with an all boulder top ten, with a few favotire routes in addition.  Anyways, here’s my top ten boulder problems from 2013 in the order that I climbed them:

1)  See Spot Run V6, Hueco Tanks, TX – Like I said, Hueco is going to be very prominent on this list.  My first and only previous trip to Hueco was in 2010.  During that trip I mostly  got shut down.  Everything felt really hard and I hated the regulations.  Fast forward to 3 years later, in much better shape and armed with three of my favorite climbing partners I was able to climb tons of classics!  In an area chock full of classics, See Spot Run is right near the top.  The crux comes right off the ground for the first three moves.  Just after the crux, the problem eases off a little, but it gets tall fast.  A few big moves on not-as-good-as-you-want crimps see you to a relatively easy top out at about twenty feet.  A historic gem.

2) Ghetto Simulator V2, Hueco Tanks, TX

Another very long problem, but this one is unique because of the rock slab a few feet behind the problem.  Although, you don’t want to take an uncontrolled fall anywhere, you can step off at just about any point on this 25+ foot problem.  Pretty much 20 feet of steep jugs with a few crimps at the end right when you’re pumped.

3) Dragonfly V5, Hueco Tanks, TX

The best problem I did at Hueco and one of my all-time favorites.  A semi-juggy traverse leads to the sweet crux, campusing from a right heel hook to a left heel hook then gaston-ing to victory.  Dragonfly along with the following problem were part of my best day of bouldering I’ve ever had.  I’ve had better days in terms of grades, but I’ve never climbed so many classics in a day.  I climbed Warm Up Roof V4, Warm Up Roof Right V5, Brutus V5, Hector in a Blender V6/7, Dragonfly V5, and the following problem…

4)  Moonshine Roof V4, Hueco Tanks, TX

One word – surfboard.  About half-way through this 15 foot horizontal roof is the surfboard feature which is exactly what is sounds like, a surfboard hanging from the roof.  Ridiculously fun heel hooks and toe hooks.  I knew I didn’t have much left in me at the end of the mega day so I gave it everything and pulled off the flash.

5)  Sign of the Cross V3, Hueco Tanks, TX

Yet another classic from Hueco.  I tried this one a little on my first trip and couldn’t even pull off the ground, but I was able to send it first go this trip.  Old school goodness.

6)  the Hourglass V6/7, Leavenworth, WA

After the summer long hiatus from bouldering, I left Smith Rock and headed straight to the primo granite of Leavenworth, WA.  I had low expectations jumping straight from sport climbing into bouldering but the week went well and I was able to put down a ton of great problems, including the Hourglass.  The Hourglass starts with a few moves of relatively easy slab, you then balance up on small crimps and jump out to a slopey jug above the lip.  Definitely a circus trick problem, but one of the best circus tricks I’ve done!

7)  Chasing Windmills V6/7, Superbia (Boulder Batholith), MT

Remember that description for the Hourglass?  This Batholith classic is surprisingly similar – moderate slab moves lead to a jump to a jug at just the right height to keep it interesting.  While Patrick Odenbeck did the FA of this problem with a wild jump to the jug, I was too much of a wimp to go for it.  Instead, I figured out some beta to get slightly close to the jug, making it a not-so-wild jump.  Here’s a vid of Odenbeck on the FA:

8)  IsRail Direct V7/8, Moe’s Valley, UT

One of my favorite problems from last year was the amazing sloper problem Israil in Moe’s Valley, Utah just outside of St. George.  While I was very psyched to do Israil, I left some unfinished business with the direct sit start.  The direct starts with a big move from underclings to a decent sidepull, then a giant dyno to join up with the sloping brilliance of Israil.  Although Moe’s tends to be not quite the quality of stone as Joe’s Valley, this one would be a classic anywhere.

9)  the Sting V4, Red Rock, NV

Perfect stone, great moves, aesthetic and a gorgeous location – what more can you ask for?  I got lucky on this one and pulled off the correct beta first try for the flash.  One of the best sandstone problems I’ve done.

10)  Boysize V7, Joe’s Valley, UT

Last but not least, the Joe’s Valley old school humble-er Boysize.  I’d tried this briefly on a previous trip but it felt literally impossible.  Luckily this time I came armed with the a secret weapon – Derveed Sharkfist.  Derv had the not-so-secret toe hook beta, which changed the problem from impossible to barely do-able.  Even with the new beta, I had to really work for this one.  Due to some fog induced humid conditions, I had an unusually high number of dry fires  and finally had to call it a day after dry fire-ing off after the crux.  While everyone else was on their way back to Bozeman the next day, I went straight back to Boysize in less than ideal conditions (foggy and 25 degrees) to send the problem. 

 

Bonus Five – the Roped Stuff

1)  War Path 5.12b, Indian Creek, MT

A low crux leads to continuous 5.11 perfection on War Path at THE Indian Creek outside Townsend, MT.  If you like incredible Montana limestone, do this one.

2)  the Dinner Roll 5.12b/c, the Fins, ID

Another one with a thin boulder problem that leads into perfect 5.11 pockets that go on forever.  If you like hueco-like pockets, do this one (and every other climb at the Fins).

3)  2 Wycked 5.12c FA, the BBC, MT

The BBC is the biggest reason why I didn’t boulder for so long during the summer.  Over the course of about three months I was able to bolt a dozen new climbs.  Of all the new routes, 2 Wycked was hands down the best.  I spent about 3 days bolting this 100+ foot monster and another 6 days to send it.  Amazing, gently overhung, mostly enduro climbing for 60 feet is followed by another 40-some feet of thin, some may say heinous, technasty to the chains.  If you don’t have the beta dialed, you could fall off just about anywhere in the last 25 feet.  For weenies who can’t handle the vertical tech-fest on the top, there’s a mid-way anchor to bail to.  I know I’m biased, but this is the best route I’ve done.  If you like super incredible Montana limestone, do this one.

4)  Cocaine Rodeo 5.12a, Ten Sleep Canyon, WY

This one goes down as the coolest climbing experience I’ve had – bouldering or roped up.  We’d just arrived at Ten Sleep a few hours earlier and I was dead set on getting one more pitch in.  Problem was that it was nearly dark and sprinkling.  The smart move would be to call it a day or maybe get in a easy pitch.  Nope, not me.  For some reason I decided strap on a headlamp and give an onsight burn on Cocaine Rodeo. 

By the time I screamed my way through the first crux, it was fully dark except for the 5 feet of light emanating from my dying headlamp.  After downclimbing a few times I was able to pull through the second crux to another good rest under a small roof.  While resting, I noticed a pattering noise getting louder – “Is it raining harder now?”  After hearing a yes reply from below I leaned out to feel the strengthening rain coming down. 

I’d come to far to let the rain win so I started up again pulling through what I thought was the last crux.  I was wrong.  Turns out the final 15 feet of this 100 foot route is the redpoint crux.  After another 10 minute up-climb down-climb session, I was able to battle through the final crux only to be left with another 10 feet of enduro climbing on completely juiced forearms.  Those that have sport climbed with me know that I yell from time to time.  Well, this was entirely another level of yelling.  I was yelling AT MYSELF as loud as I could, basically pissed off because I knew I was going to fall off the very top of this route after getting so far.  Thanks in large part to Leslie and Kelsey yelling right back at me to hang on, I was able to pull through and clip the chains.

If you like memorable experiences, onsight a route at your limit in the dark and the rain (hopefully Cocaine Rodeo).

5)  Zebra Zion (3rd pitch) 5.9, Smith Rock, OR

Trad climbing doesn’t get much better than the last pitch of Zebra Zion.  Two pitches up the Morning Glory Wall at Smith lead to this mega-classic trad pitch.  The pitch climbs up a slightly overhung juggy flake that goes on for about 40 feet.  While the climbing alone would make it a classic anywhere, the position, perched high above the Crooked River and all of the Smith crags, cements it into mega-classic status.  If you like climbing, do this one.

 

-EC

Time for the boulderingmontana’s 3rd Annual Best of Last Year List.  I just about scrapped the whole thing, but I realized how much I enjoy looking back at at the great problems, places, and people from last year.  Without further ado, the 11 best or most memorable climbs I did in 2012:

1)  Fe Fi Fo Fum V7, Whiskey Gulch, MT – This one missed the 2011 list by two days.  Due to the amazing weather last winter I was able to slap my way up this new school Whiskey classic in perfect conditions in early January.  If you haven’t tried this problem yet, head out to the End of the Road and go for it!  Video:

2)  the Montana Cancan V4 FA, Whiskey Gulch, MT – One word, pogo!  Awesome, new, one move dyno overlooking the Tobacco Roots.  Couldn’t come up with a good name, but Brandon Rennie nailed it!

3)  Kredulf V4, Druid Stones, Bishop, CA – Three completely different sections – crimpy tech into dyno into a tricky and tall mantel.  Pretty hard to beat the view too.  It’s located on a hill high above Bishop that overlooks both the town and the Sierra’s.

4)  Redrum V7, the Happy Boulders, Bishop, CA – While Redrum is a very fun problem that I would recommend in a heartbeat, it’s more memorable to me for showing the progression in my bouldering ‘career.’  Years ago, on my first real trip to Bishop with Ho and Manlove (yes, they’re real people and those are their real names) we went to this boulder.  Manlove was working Redrum and Ho was working the sit.  I watched them and thought it looked completely impossible.  It was great to come back and put it down.  This also may be the hardest boulder problem I’ve done.

5)  the Hulk V6, the Happy Boulders, Bishop, CA – Pretty much the exact same reason as Redrum, except this is a world-class boulder problem as well.  I’d try it a few times each trip for the last few years and never got too psyched.  But, I stuck with it, deciphered the toe-hook, hit the boss, held the swing (MONEY MOVE!!!) and topped it out.  Well, technically, I did all that and punted off the top out, then sent it next try.  Sent Redrum in the morning and I was content to just cruise around wherever in the afternoon, but a wicked windstorm rolled in and the only somewhat calm spot in the canyon was the Hulk.  Thanks again for sticking it out with me in horrible conditions SHo!  Video with both the Hulk and Redrum:

6)  IsRail V6, Moe’s Valley, UT – Whenever I go on a big bouldering trip I usually have three goals – climb as many classics as possible, climb something ‘hard’, and flash something ‘hard’.  There’s just something very satisfying about trying really, really hard on that first go and sending.  When I was making my tick-list for Moe’s I knew that IsRail was on the top of this list, but it never crossed my mind that I could flash it.  I got there and luckily there were two people working it.  As I was having a snack I watched them and realized it perfectly my style – heel hooks and slopers.  I figured I should get a little more serious and go for it.  Somehow everything clicked and I made it through the crux without falling.  I fumbled the top out a little bit, but thrutched my way through and flashed it!  To add icing to the the cake, it took a certain unnamed Metolius Climb Team member 7 tries to do it!

7)  the Flying Saucer V3, Whiskey Gulch, MT – In my opinion this is the best V3 at Whiskey.  A sweet, slopey 5 foot roof rail followed by the crux getting to the lip of the boulder.  Excellent!  I think this was put up a couple years ago by the Bozeman Climbing Team.  Video of both the Flying Saucer and the Montana Cancan:

8) Routes – This is cheating a little, but rather than do a seperate routes list I’ll just cram all my favorites into one slot…

8a)  Spider Man 5.7, Smith Rock, OR – Sweet multi-pitch climb with Peder that I’ve been wanting to do for almost a decade.

8b)  Circus in the Wind 5.11-, Ten Sleep, WY – Enduro!  Over the course of the summer, I did more than a dozen climbs rated harder than this one and they all took me less tries (except for #8d).  I really don’t think there is any move harder than V0, but I had practically zero endurance before going to Ten Sleep.  Very, very good route and fun to send something my anti-style.

8c)  Meet Me in Heaven, 5.12a, Ten Sleep, WY – It was my second to last day and I knew if I had one more go on this one I could put it away.  Well, it was getting dark… and raining.  I was with the Groseths and it was their turn so while they were on some insane 5.13/14 with 57 bolts I was hanging out a few minutes down the trail getting psyched and rehearsing beta.  It started sprinkling as they finished up and by the time they got over to me, it was a down pour.  I’m sure they were assuming I would be packing up ready to head down.  Nope.  I was tied in with my shoes on huddling under the slightly overhung route trying to stay dry.  I really didn’t want to come back to the Mondo the next day so I went for it.  The first four bolts, which is the crux, was dry due to the slight overhang, but after the crux, the route slabs off for about 20 feet of 5.9… completely soaked.  After countless curses and “watch me”s I was able to sketch my way up to the chains in the dark… and the rain.

8d)  Beast of Burden 5.12b FA, the Fins, Hyalite Canyon, MT – The most tries I’ve put into a sport climb.  Shorty, but very, very fun climbing.  Burly slab climbing.

9)  the Interplanetary Insanitarium V6 FA, Upper Mason Lake, Tobacco Roots, MT – Perfect one move wonder high up in the Tobacco Roots.  I first tried this problem in 2010 and could barely pull off the ground, let alone generate momentum for a dyno.  A gorgeous setting in the middle of the mountains.

10)  Gimme Three Steps V0 FA, North Willow Creek, Tobacco Roots, MT – A terrific slab of nubbins and crimps.  On the tall side, but not too bad.  It’d been a long time since I’d done a really good V0 and this one broke the streak.

11)  Bring the Heatwole V7, Joe’s Valley, UT – Full meal deal.  It’s got a little bit of everything – underclings, jugs, slopers, gastons, sidepulls, crimps, knee bars, heel hooks, and toe hooks!  No stopper moves, but the sting in the tail crimp top-out pitched me off a bunch due to the endurance factor.

Hope this year is even better than the last for everyone!

-EC