Since Devil's Tower....

....there was a whole lot of driving. Made it across Wyoming in a day, and to Yellowstone, where they told us that there was nowhere to pitch a tent in the entiretly of the park. After reading all the bear signs and seeing a wolf eating something, we ruled out sleeping out and spent the night in the car, which wasn't as awful as we initially thought.






photo from the drive - this is somewhere in Wyoming








Yellowstone was pretty, but way to full of tourists, which was annoying. But we got to see some good geysers and some sweet crystal stuff. As well as bears, wolves, bison, elk and couples dressed identically. After that, we drove through the grand tetons. To save time, here is a picture of yellowstone lake, with the Grand Tetons in the background.







Grand Tetons and Yellowstone Lake







After that, it was more driving. This time it was to City of Rocks, in Idaho. We were feeling pretty lazy, so we just bouldered a bit. Mike heel-hooked a cactus. It was epic.



City of Rocks, Idaho












Now we're sitting at my Uncle's house in McCall, Idaho, hanging with my Aunt, Uncle, two cousins, two dogs and my new second cousin. Plan on doing some local multi-pitch stuff tomorrow, maybe the next day too, we shall see. After that, heading up through Glacier National Park, and trying to get out of the country by July 4th.

Since our arrival in South Dakota, we spent a good deal of our time in the Needles, climbing Haystack 5.5, some run out 5.9, Dakota Illinois 5.9, a mixed 5.7, another 5.9, probably some other stuff and Gnomon a 5.8 and probably one of the best protected, coolest lines we did.

After the Needles, we headed up to Spearfish Canyon, which is awesome sports climbing on limestone. It's like the Red if the Red was about 30% developed. TONS of rock, only a bit that's been bolted. Really cool stuff, which I have no photographic evidence of. On our second day, I was feeling really shitty so we ditched climbing and drove to Wyoming to a walk in clinic so I could get tested for Lyme's Disease. Still waiting on the results.

In the meantime, we drove to Devil's tower, and were lucky enough to meet Frank Sanders, who has been climbing the tower since 1972, runs a bed and breakfast, and was kind enough to let us pitch a tent in his yard, free of charge. With some good sleep and killer accommodation, we went up the tower yesterday, up Soler, 5.9.

We probably got to the base in the 10-1030 am range. Climbed in FULL sun all day and ran out of water. Dying in the heat, we made it to the summit! (which was in full sun) and rapped down the west side, which was also in full sun by that point (not the smartest move on our part). Despite our fatigue and dehydration, the route was AWESOME - 2 perpendicular cracks ranging from fists to fingers. Plus, when we got down, we managed a celebrity status - various families were watching the tower as we rapped down, and waited for us to make it back to the visitors center so they could get our picture. After a demo of cams, explaining rappeling and "how we get the ropes up there" we were free to go on our way.

Woke up this morning feeling wrecked, so we got some food and continued to be famous. It's a hard life. Plan on heading up again tomorrow (with tons of water) and continuing our journey towards Yellowstone/Tetons.

Regrettably, I've left my camera in the tent, so I am unable to put up the most recent photos.