Hollowtop Valley

Posted on September 3, 2010 | 1 comment

I made it up to the valley that I spotted from Hollowtop Mtn last week.  For lack of a better name, I’m calling it Hollowtop Valley.  The weather’s looking a little sketchy for this weekend so I decided to take a pad and make it a long day trip instead of risking an overnighter this weekend..  It was a perfect day, sunny, but chilly all day.  Although I didn’t scout everything, most of the stuff that I saw last week from Hollowtop Mtn. was too small for bouldering.  But, there was tons of stuff in the trees surrounding the 3 highest lakes that looked good.  Definitely tons of potential.  I think this would be a great place to head up once or twice a year for a weekend.  If nothing else, it’s and absolutely gorgeous area.  Here’s the pics:

Hollowtop Valley, you could do worse for places to spend a day bouldering…

Cliffs along the North side of Hollowtop Valley

The best crack boulder problem I’ve tried anywhere.  About 10-12ft tall and 30 degrees overhanging with a few well placed finger locks.  I found it as I was hiking out, cleaned it as fast as I could and tried it for a bit to no avail.  I have no idea on ratings for cracks like this, but it felt comparable to a V5.  It would probably feel a lot easier for better crack climbers.  Just like all harder finger cracks (from what I’ve heard) it’s probalby going to end up being 50% strength/ability and 50% pain tolerance.  I can’t wait to get back on it, but it may have to wait until next year.  I don’t know if I’d have time to get back up until October and it may be snowed in by then.  We’ll see…

Another view of “the Punisher Project” after I cleaned it.

A cool tree I saw on the way out.

Hopefully y’all can get out this weekend between the potentially crappy weather.

-EC

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Posted in Tobacco Roots

Rainy Day @ Cascade Creek

Posted on August 30, 2010 | Leave a comment

Ho, Holmer & I went up to Cascade Creek Saturday morning.  All was well until about noon when the rain came.  Luckily one problem got put up on the Haunted Mansion boulder before everything got too wet.  Both Ho and Holmer climbed the new V6-ish line that was pretty good.  Ho also did a crazy dynamic problem, but wasn’t able to top it out because of the rain.  Next time out it should go down.

We huddled under the huge (blank) overhang of the Haunted Mansion for a half hour until the rain and hail passed.  Unfortunately, just about everything was soaked so we headed down to the Lava Pit where Holmer made quick work of the Lava Lunge SDS.  We cleaned and tried another new problem just below the Lava Pit that was dry due to a well placed tree, but it didn’t go down.  Here’s the photos.  The first two are the new V6 that Ho put up and the third is Holmer just before sending the Lava Lunge SDS (V7).

I was hoping to make it to the Hollowtop Valley on Wednesday, but it may be snowing up there so who knows.  I don’t mind hiking around in the rain/snow, but I have no idea how that road will fair in crappy weather.  Wish me luck.

-EC

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Posted in Cascade Creek

Hollowtop Mtn

Posted on August 26, 2010 | 6 comments

I went up to Hollowtop Mountain yesterday, mostly just for a fun peak/hike, but also to see what kind of rock was visible from the highest peak in the Tobacco Roots.  The views didn’t disapoint… Here’s the canyon that caught my eye.

Unfortunately there is no easy way to get here.  From Bozeman, it’s a 1.5hr drive and probably a tough 2 hour hike (maybe a little less).  I’m hoping to hike in sans pad next week and see how good it looks from the ground.  If it looks good, I’d like to do an overnighter over labor day weekend so I could have a full day of climbing.  More photos to come…

-EC

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Posted in Tobacco Roots