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The Butcher's Hand Rock Climbing

Climbing Area Map

Routes in The Butcher's Hand

	Blood Sausage S 5.11 6c+ 23 VIII- 23 E4 5c
	Gilson Route on Butcher's Hand T 5.5 4b 13 IV+ 11 MS 4a R

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Elevation:	5,288 ft
GPS:	43.88543, -103.46872 Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views:	2,906 total · 19/month
Shared By:	Tater Tot on Jul 13, 2010
Admins:	Peter Gram, Greg Parker, Mikel Madsen, Mark Rafferty Page Updates (admin only)

Access Issue: Check NPS for Closures Details

Description

The Butcher's Hand is a long narrow fin of rock on the North end of the gully between the formations Meat Counter and Cleaver. There are three known routes on this formation. There is a 5.5 Bill Gilson route first climbed in 1959 (First ascent of the formation.) There is also a Phinney route called Pinkie Rib (5.9) and a new sport route called Blood Sausage (5.11). When viewed from the south, this rock looks like a needles style spire and is very aesthetic!

Getting There

There are several possible approaches to The Butcher's Hand. One of the better ones is to enter the Chopping Block area via the trail near the Mt. Rushmore National Memorial sign. Head south up the hill until the trail goes either left or right. Go left until you see a gigantic boulder chockstone tunnel. Go under this. On your left will be Cleaver, on the right will be The Meat Counter, and straight ahead will be The Butcher's Hand.