Touching the Holds of Legend – Whodunnit (5.9, III, 800′) – Tahquitz Rock – Idyllwild, CA (08.16.25)

Whodunnit is a physical, varied, sustained, and historical quest up the plumb line of Tahquitz Rock. Since it's first ascent in 1957 by Joe Fritschen and Royal Robbins, this route has been climbed by thousands, including about every United States climbing legend imaginable, and is revered as possibly the best route on Tahquitz. A topo and detailed route description is included for prospective climbers.

August 27, 2025 6

Underground Classic – Sour Mash (5.10a, 7 pitches, 700′) – Black Velvet Wall – Red Rocks NCA, NV (07.26.25)

Our last Red Rocks route before leaving Vegas for the summer - Bobbi Clemmer and I climbed the highly regarded Sour Mash. With three pitches of 5.10a and two pitches of 5.9, this spectacular route is sustained at the grade.

August 19, 2025 6

For the Muffin – Frogland (5.8, 6 pitches, 700′) – Whiskey Peak – Red Rocks NCA, NV (07.26.25)

Frogland is the premier moderate mutli-pitch adventure on Whiskey Peak. The rock is superb, climbing varied, descent streamlined, and difficulty generally soft for the grade.

August 13, 2025 2

Summer Strike – Dark Shadows (5.8, 4 pitches, 350′) – Mescalito – Red Rocks NCA, NV (07.14.25)

Alex Honnold himself called Dark Shadows "the best 5.8 in Red Rocks" - stout praise. The full route is 10 pitches long, and climbs to the top of Mescalito via several adventurous upper pitches. We climbed only the first four pitches, a common abbreviation which captures the steepest and best rock climbing closest to the... Continue Reading →

August 10, 2025 1

Beatdown – The Challenger (5.11a, 6 pitches, 700′) – Challenger Wall – Red Rocks, NV (07.10.25)

The Challenger is an unrelenting and sustained 5.11a rock climb, with five of six pitches clocking 5.10c or above. It's a beast - and a classic.

July 19, 2025 1

Clinging to the Edge – Risky Business (5.10c R, 4 Pitches, 400′) – Mescalito – Red Rocks, NV (07.09.25)

Risky Business ascends some of the BEST rock in Red Rocks - an improbable and bold traditional climb connecting discontinuous flakes and seams via runout face climbing on the impressive vertical varnished face left of the equally famous Dark Shadows (5.8). Every pitch offers R rated climbing, flawless stone, and exciting movement in an epic setting.

July 15, 2025 3

New Scenery – The Nightcrawler (5.10+, 5 pitches, 445′) – Red Rocks, NV (07.07.25)

On July 7th I climbed the Nightcrawler, a spectacular five pitch 5.10+ on the Brownstone Wall in Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. The route is claimed by many to be the best 5.10 in this world-class climbing destination - stout praise.

July 13, 2025 2

Returning to the Eagle Scout (WI5) – Reflections from Four 2025 Ascents – Teton Canyon, WY

The Eagle Scout (a.k.a. Mack-Tyson) pillar is the premier single pitch ice climb of the Teton Range, with "more than 100 feet of vertical or overhanging climbing" and a grade ranging from WI5- to WI6R. Having not climbed the Eagle Scout in two years, I thought I would add some notes from the perspective of a better ice climber.

March 27, 2025 0

Sandstone Ice 2025 Part Three: Hidden Haven (WI4, II) – Parowan Canyon, Utah (01.28.2025)

Hidden Haven (WI4, II) is a unique four pitch ice adventure, ascending a tight slot canyon feature in Parowan Canyon, Utah. Bobbi Clemmer and I climbed the route on our way home from Joshua Tree - January 28th, 2025.

March 18, 2025 1

A Pillar That Forms Twice A Decade – Bingo World (WI5-6) Onsight – Hyalite Canyon, MT (03.08.25)

On March 8th, 2025, Bobbi Clemmer and and I climbed Bingo World (WI5-6), one Hyalite Canyon's most difficult, notorious and ephemeral freestanding pillars. The route is known to form about twice a decade.

March 17, 2025 2