Jackson --> Ten Sleep ... On the way we did a long day through Yellowstone, one of the world's most amazing, unique and bizarre places. Hope you enjoy a little photo dump from the day...
The primary goal for revisiting the Big Horns was to check out some areas above Ten Sleep-- Crazy Women, TWC and the Borderlands. With shockingly cool temps, staggering potential and a handful of rad crags and routes already established, I have a really good feeling about this zone. I might not have the time to invest up there this year, but I'll definitely be back.
I've gotten to climb on a handful of new and new-to-me routes out here which has been super fun. Day 1 we only had time for the canyon, but we joined some good friends at the Superratic, a classic Wyoming cliff with amazing routes. 'The Incredible Horse Cock' 13d and 'The Canadian Horse Cock' 13b were both good challenges. The Incredible is all about a hard, short boulder problem right near the bottom through poor holds and long moves. The Canadian is a wicked thin, edgy boulder problem to a shared finish. Not sure how I over looked these killer routes in the past. Day 2 we checked out the TWC wall and Borderlands - about 25 miles past the Mondo parking, and a super worthy zone on it's own, in an exceptional setting. I did Milky Williams cool, long and techy .13+ on the TWC called 'Mixed Message' and around the corner at the Borderlands I was keen to try 'Berserker' 14a, a Wilkinson route that Mikey opened last year. After checking out the neighboring 5.11 crack (12a?) I rapped down, hanging the draws on Berserker. Fighting a solid pump, I made it to the top first try. I'd love to claim a flash, but it's definitely murky waters - I saw the route up close, touched a few holds on my way down.. so whatever.. I did it first try and it was a good challenge. I finished the day on a nice, hard 13b to the right, 'Bone Shredder'. Day 3 we were at the amazing Slavery Wall back in the canyon. I had been kind of saving 'Gold Member' 13d for a first try attempt over the years, and although I was on my third day on, I knew this might be my only day at this wall for another year... so I went for it.. and it turned out well. I nailed the onsight on this truly incredible route - one of my favorites in Ten Sleep no doubt. I finished the day with the adjacent, and almost as cool 'Burden of Immortality' 13a. Good climbing all around.
We've got a couple more days here until we're off for Salt Lake City and the trade show. As always, I'm stoked to link up with good friends and connect with new people, not to mention be in a proper city again after 2 months in the wild! If you're at the show on Friday the 1st, swing by the Maxim Ropes booth around 2-3pm for a poster signing! or just to hang out...
