Bison Buttress

Description 

The furtherest north climbable cliff in the shade before reaching Prairie Walls Area. This buttress contains three routes the best of which is probably Oath of Fealty (5.10b). These climbs are well covered by foliage and are therefore in the shade pretty much all day. The down side is depending on the time of year it may be buggier than other areas.

Getting There 

The best approach I know of is to take the bike/pedestrian path from the Rock County 8 parking lot past the outhouse to the next obvious trail. This trail will take you to the base of Kanaranzi Buttress (East Face), as the trail forks take a right down a hill and then back up a hill (maybe 100 yards) to this buttress. From Praire Walls you can follow the trail along the cliffline into the trees. This will be one of the first buttresses encountered. Look for the large overhanging crack that is Oath of Fealty.

Top Rope Approach/Descent: The best approach for setting top ropes is a third class gully/chimney to the right of the buttress. There is also an approach on the left side of the cliff but it is a little more difficult.

Featured Route For Bison Buttress

Oath of Fealty 5.10b  Minnesota : Blue Mounds SP (Luverne, MN) : North Quarry Area

A very fun and challenging route. Climb up to the roof, use hand jams to pull over the roof. Continue to the top of the crack using fists, and offwidth technique or any face features that can be found. I'd recommend taping as the rock can be kind of sharp.* RCM&W #45, p.43....[more]