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Location idea for mid-July trip.....

Original Post
Andy Laakmann · · Bend, OR · Joined Jan 2001 · Points: 1,990

My wife and I are looking for a "new" destination for our one week July trip. Anywhere in North America is game.

We've been to many of the usual Summer subjects, many times... Tetons, Squamish, T. Meadows, Needles CA, Eastern Sierra, etc.

Specifications: We're really not looking for high stress "alpine" adventures.. i.e. we're just seeking great rock climbing. No cramponing allowed :) We're OK with some approaches, but we're not interested in two hour slogs every day. We have old-person knees to manage.

Trad preferred over sport.

What gems have we missed in our travels?

Mark E Dixon · · Possunt, nec posse videntur · Joined Nov 2007 · Points: 974

No other choice really- the Nose

Andy Laakmann · · Bend, OR · Joined Jan 2001 · Points: 1,990

Does the Nose come with a stipend for divorce attorneys?

Steve M · · MN · Joined Aug 2011 · Points: 100

Hit up Devils tower then head 2 hours east to the Needles. Kick ass approaches for old knees abound.

JCM · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2008 · Points: 115

A few options:

Elephant's Perch, Idaho. Not too far from Bend. There is a hke in, but you can go in for a little while and camp. Semi-alpine.

Independence Pass, CO. A wide range of climbing on mostly single-pitch granite crags. Mostly roadside. High elevation (good temps). Scenic. Not a mega-destination like T. Meadows, but you'd have a great time here for a week.

Tensleep, WY. Have you been yet? Though a sport area, it still seems to win the hearts of even the most traditionally-inclined. The rock, the scenery, the camping, and the summer weather are all superb.

Index, WA. Mini-Squamish. In July, there is even a chance that it won't rain on you.

Andy Laakmann · · Bend, OR · Joined Jan 2001 · Points: 1,990

Aspen/Independence Pass area has piqued my interest. Beside the pass, are there other options nearby?

Mark E Dixon · · Possunt, nec posse videntur · Joined Nov 2007 · Points: 974
Andy Laakmann wrote:Does the Nose come with a stipend for divorce attorneys?
Sounds like a question for Supertopo!

Seriously, the Black Hills are really lovely and a lot of fun. Kind of a long drive from Bend though.

Monitor Rock is near Independence Pass, but not really a destination area.

You could take the back road to Lime Creek and have sort of Rifle-esque climbing with fewer crowds in a beautiful setting.
Alvaro Arnal · · Aspen, CO · Joined May 2010 · Points: 1,535
Andy Laakmann wrote:Aspen/Independence Pass area has piqued my interest. Beside the pass, are there other options nearby?
Indy Pass is a great summer climbing spot as the temps stay relatively cool and depending on where you go you can have entire crags to yourself. You could spend weeks just exploring the many areas of the Pass alone, but other nearby spots that could be worth a day trip are the Narrows in Carbondale, Glenwood Canyon for some adventure climbing (see Mudwall), Rifle, and Unaweep and Escalante Canyons near Grand Junction. All of these are within 2 hours drive from Aspen.
mike bronson · · Denver, CO · Joined Apr 2008 · Points: 10

Uintah Mountains in Utah would keep you busy for a week if you can handle leaving the trad rack behind.

Nick Stayner · · Wymont Kingdom · Joined Mar 2006 · Points: 2,315

Andy, have you been to Vedauwoo? That's a pretty awesome summer cragging spot. I spent a bunch of time down there last August. Lots of north aspects & highish elevation keep things cool, and there's free camping. Laid-back, lack of a scene, crowds are a non-issue mid-week in my experience.

Mark E Dixon · · Possunt, nec posse videntur · Joined Nov 2007 · Points: 974
Dana Bartlett wrote: Shouldn't you be working?
I only have time to post on MP when I am working!
Jason Todd · · Cody, WY · Joined Apr 2012 · Points: 1,114

City of Rocks

Needles of SD

Fat Dad · · Los Angeles, CA · Joined Nov 2007 · Points: 60
Evan Deis wrote:Great bouldering at Death Valley National Park
Where?
Andrew Mayer · · Driggs, ID · Joined Nov 2010 · Points: 131

+1 for the Perch. kinda violates your "no alpine" stipulation but the scenery, rock quality, and climbing are outstanding. especially if you've never been

also +1 for Indy Pass if your looking more so for cragging.

rock-fencer · · Columbia, SC · Joined Dec 2009 · Points: 265

North Conway, NH area might fit your bill between cathedral, cannon, and satellite areas...

Other option would be Smith Rock - though can get rather toasty in the summer

Matt G · · Chicago, IL · Joined Jan 2008 · Points: 130

Devils Lake, WI is always overlooked for some reason. All the trad you can ask for!

JJNS · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Sep 2008 · Points: 531
Fat Dad wrote: Where?
It was a joke.
JJNS · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Sep 2008 · Points: 531
rock_fencer wrote:North Conway, NH area might fit your bill between cathedral, cannon, and satellite areas... Other option would be Smith Rock - though can get rather toasty in the summer
He is from Bend.
rock-fencer · · Columbia, SC · Joined Dec 2009 · Points: 265
JasonJNSmith wrote: He is from Bend.
haha my bad didnt think to look...in lieu of Smith i'll second devils tower/needles combo
Andy Laakmann · · Bend, OR · Joined Jan 2001 · Points: 1,990

Doesn't Devil's Tower ROAST in July?

CBW Warner · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Nov 2010 · Points: 30

Lumpy Ridge and RMNP. Thunderstorm possibilities, but at least if you are in this area, we can have dinner again. Might even have some steel to show you by then. -Chris

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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