I am looking for someone to climb with at Palisades State Park in SD (or Blue Mounds). I am probably just beyond newbie status, having climbed probably 20 times. Most of my experiences have been top roping, with a few lead sport climbs on 5.6-5.7. I have no experience leading trad, but I would love to learn and start.

I have all my own gear for top roping and a small set of passive protection. If you're interested in climbing please let me know either by replying of PM'ing me. Thanks!

Bump, no one out there climbing @ palisades willing to partner up or let me join up with your normal climbing group?

I climb up there from time to time. If we head out I will shoot you a message. Mostly bouldering tho.

I don't know Palisades, rock in Blue Mounds is red quartzite, which is really glassy, not ideal for trad lead (for me).

what's wrong with leading on quartzite? Last time I checked devils lake has plenty of great trad leads and happens to be all quartzite.... ;)

I get up there occasionally. Send me a PM.

Learning trad climbing at Blue Mounds isn't a bad idea. There are plenty of routes available at every level. We try to do one route trad each time we go - but we generally top-rope.

We'll head that way as soon as things cool down a bit - it's not fun to climb there in this heat!

Let me know when you plan to go again.

By the way, you knew, didn't you, that the parks in MN are all closed? You can still climb there - just park outside of the parking lot.

Dude, I know this is a way old post, but if you're still looking for a pallisades partner, shoot me a line. I'm in Omaha, so I'm not sure how far that is from you.