Climbing info in and around Bozeman, MT

hello fellow climbers,

I have a potential job opportunity in Bozeman. I am flying out tomorrow and will spend a few days in town. The decision to take this job is not so much the job as it is a really good gig. However, it is going to based upon the climbing scene and local facilities, i.e. gym.

As it is right now, I climb roughly 4 days a week and it's important to me I continue to do so. I am looking for any info about this part of the country regarding the climbing scene, areas, accessibility, local gyms, partners, etc.

I will have a hard time justifying a move if I cannot climb as most of you know climbing for us is like breathing for regular people.

Any and all info is most welcome.

Thank You!

I'm not from Bozeman but I know as far as the local gym (Spire Climbing) is concerned, they recently just completed a big expansion/renovation. It's a cool area with access to some great climbing. I would move there if I had a job there.

i know it's going to sound completely insane, but since you're on a website that is one of the best resources in the world for the information you seek... maybe you could peruse the MT section of the route guide to see if there's any climbing nearby?

try Gallatin Canyon and Hyalite Canyon

also, three minutes with google will turn up a quality gym.

have you ever heard of Conrad Anker? Guess where he lives?

The bozeman area contains a large amount of climbing close to town, and some classic areas to visit just a short drive away. The local gym, spire, just opened their new expansion including a yoga studio. There is also a huge potential for new route development if your willing to put in the time!

-hyalite canyon has some great trad and sport routes, but more importantly is home to an amazing number of classic ice climbs!
-the bridger range contains bulletproof limestone, home to awesome single and multipitch sport routes
- devils tower/ten sleep/city of rocks, all just 5 hours away

ton wrote:i know it's going to sound completely insane, but since you're on a website that is one of the best resources in the world for the information you seek... maybe you could peruse the MT section of the route guide to see if there's any climbing nearby? try Gallatin Canyon and Hyalite Canyon also, three minutes with google will turn up a quality gym. have you ever heard of Conrad Anker? Guess where he lives?

Brendan, thanks! I stopped in Spire and talked to one of the employees for a while about climbing and Bozeman. He was really helpful. The expansion looks great, albeit on the small side. However, given the size of Bozeman, it is probably just right.

Gavin, thanks! It's important to hear from the local community other than doing searches on Google. Most helpful! Thanks! One of the guys at Spire talked about the limestone area. I couldn't remember if he mentioned Bridger or Bozeman Pass, thanks for the clarification. Any additional info you could share on this crag? It sounds like it's pretty ideal as I mainly boulder and sport climb. Yes, I can definitely contribute time, energy, and finances to further develop!

ton, thecamattack ... As mentioned to Gavin, it's important to hear from the local community as this is a major decision for me, feedback from helpful folks who are in and or familiar with the area and climbing community is the best.

While the climbing in Bozeman itself isn't world class, we definitely have good climbing. There are a few okay areas, a few solid areas, and some really excellent areas. Much of it is not up on Mountain Project, and mentioning a few of the newly developed areas would get a person burned at the stake. But there is a lot going up, and we have more than adequate cragging near by. I lived for awhile in Seattle, and while the climbing isn't as good, it's a lot closer and you don't have to deal with traffic pretty much ever.

As others mentioned, we are also within spitting distance of amazing places, and winter is hard to beat. Great skiing (if you're into that) and amazing ice climbing.

The gym here is great, and the expansion is amazing. I climbed at Vertical World in Seattle before and after their expansion, and while it's certainly smaller, we're also not in a giant city. The route setters are fantastic, and there is a good little community.

In short, Bozeman is great, and you'll learn more the more you stay. If you're adventurous at all, there are FAs to be had and lots to discover. If you're looking for Boulder or Rifle, though, we certainly aren't that.

The sport climbing here is un-remarkable and generally on vertical limestone that you would never travel for, the traditional climbing is slabby and runout, and the bouldering is short, easy, and highly contrived.

Being a university town there are ample supplies of very competent partners with in-depth knowledge of the local area.

All the best climbers in Bozeman live at Spire and travel 6-8 hours on the weekends to work on projects in Wyoming.

Wyoming has loads of really good climbing and is super close to Boulder.

Andrew M Whitmore wrote:The sport climbing here is un-remarkable and generally on vertical limestone that you would never travel for, the traditional climbing is slabby and runout, and the bouldering is short, easy, and highly contrived. Being a university town there are ample supplies of very competent partners with in-depth knowledge of the local area. All the best climbers in Bozeman live at Spire and travel 6-8 hours on the weekends to work on projects in Wyoming. Wyoming has loads of really good climbing and is super close to Boulder.

Colin - Thanks for the valuable insight. Most helpful! Yes, I am all in with exploration and developing new areas! I would be happy to contribute as much as I can! I've heard of this limestone area new Bozeman but no one will tell me where it's at. I've heard good things!

Andrew - I appreciate the honesty, here. I have been to Ten Sleep more than just a couple of times, remarkable place! Do people go there every wknd? Rifle season is starting and the climbers from Boulder head to Rifle like every wknd until fall!

A question to all, how long is the outdoor season being so far north? I've heard the long summer days are from 6 am - 10 pm. How short are the winter days?

Thanks!

I am also looking to move to the area! I climb in San Diego and surrounding areas now but I need big mountains in my life for snowboarding. Ill be making a trip in June to check out the climbing and backpacking. Ill be needing a climbing partner while I am in town.