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Iron Horse Wall

S Dakota > Spearfish Canyon > Blue Sky

Description

One of the premiere walls at Blue Sky. The main section houses 6 classic climbs and is flanked by several enjoyable warm-ups. The climbing is typically on small pockets up slightly overhanging, perfect stone.

Getting There

Once at the main trail, walk left for about 2 minutes. You'll pass Turkey Vulture (12c, big bulging black buttress) on your right. The Iron Horse wall is the next obvious shield of stone, with nice open views of the canyon.

Routes from Left to Right

5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a
 2
● Mexican Mouse
Sport
5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a
 7
● Casey Jones
Sport
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c
 4
● Train in Vain
Sport
5.11b/c 6c+ 23 VIII- 24 E4 6a
 13
● The Brakeman
Sport
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a
 42
● Iron Horse
Sport
5.13b/c 8a+ 29 X- 30 E7 6c
 5
● Black stallion
Sport
5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b
 17
● Monorail
Sport
5.13a 7c+ 29 IX+ 29 E6 6c
 16
● Big Train
Sport
5.13c 8a+ 30 X- 31 E7 7a
 5
● Heavy Metal Machine
Sport
5.13d 8b 31 X 32 E8 7a
 3
● Steamroller
Sport
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c
 29
● Engine No. 9
Sport
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
 17
● Night Train
Sport
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b
 14
● Locomotive Breath
Sport
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a
 12
● Caboose
Sport
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
● Mexican Mouse
 2
5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a Sport
● Casey Jones
 7
5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a Sport
● Train in Vain
 4
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c Sport
● The Brakeman
 13
5.11b/c 6c+ 23 VIII- 24 E4 6a Sport
● Iron Horse
 42
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a Sport
● Black stallion
 5
5.13b/c 8a+ 29 X- 30 E7 6c Sport
● Monorail
 17
5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b Sport
● Big Train
 16
5.13a 7c+ 29 IX+ 29 E6 6c Sport
● Heavy Metal Machine
 5
5.13c 8a+ 30 X- 31 E7 7a Sport
● Steamroller
 3
5.13d 8b 31 X 32 E8 7a Sport
● Engine No. 9
 29
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c Sport
● Night Train
 17
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b Sport
● Locomotive Breath
 14
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b Sport
● Caboose
 12
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a Sport

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

Look at all that Blue Sky. <br> A view of the Iron Horse Wall
[Hide Photo] Look at all that Blue Sky. A view of the Iron Horse Wall
The Iron Horse Wall.
[Hide Photo] The Iron Horse Wall.
The Iron Horse wall, viewed from slightly below the approach trail.<br> There's a person in white near the base of Iron Horse, 12a.
[Hide Photo] The Iron Horse wall, viewed from slightly below the approach trail. There's a person in white near the base of Iron Horse, 12a.

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

Miah
[Hide Comment] My favorite of the Blue Sky walls. The routes here blend technique and power and expose any weakness in either department. The beautiful views and stellar climbing are a combination hard to find, let alone match, anywhere. Jan 2, 2007