[Hide Photo] PJ Rai climbing Natural D's. The entire route can be seen in this photo - from the start hold deep in the cave, through the climber following the natural line to the top out.
[Hide Comment] This cave is home to some of the dopest and hardest climbing in Missouri. Come and get it, and prepare to feel like you got hit by a dump truck.
Another note worth making is that this place will challenge your notion of what footwork means in rock climbing. Be prepared to get really creative with how you use your feet here. There is ALWAYS more beta.
One last thing I thought worth mentioning is on the subject of grades. The climbs here are done without ropes and were thus given V grades by their first ascentionist(s). I can't help feeling, and it's been said by others, that the far more appropriate way to grade these problems is using route grades, as they climb much more like sport climbs than boulder problems, obviously without the bolts. Natural D's feels around 5.12b/c to me, and I've heard The Nemesis called 5.12+. Just a note if you're coming to the cave and want to know what to expect.
Dec 13, 2018
[Hide Comment] Biggest climbable roof in the US outside of Choss Roof in Flagstaff? Great rock too. Truly remarkable area, highly recommended for a visit.
Jan 21, 2020
[Hide Comment] John, it's honestly a crap shoot. Cold is better. If it's rained in the last week, you're probably screwed. It's a very finnicky spot.
Oct 5, 2021
[Hide Comment] I was out at the future cave for the first time yesterday and I noticed several fire rings under the cave, 2 of which were very distinct. One under the middle of Natural Ds and the other a bit further out kinda under nemisis.
I tried to destroy one of them the best I could, but it was still pretty obvious what it was afterwards.
Is it common knowledge in the MO climbing community that fire under rock weakens it and leads to breakage?
Or are these fire rings from non-climbing users of the area?
In either case I don’t know what the solution would be (PSA signs?), but I figured the MO scene would like to know about the situation.
Jan 6, 2023
Continue with onX Maps
Continue with Facebook
Kansas City, MO
Another note worth making is that this place will challenge your notion of what footwork means in rock climbing. Be prepared to get really creative with how you use your feet here. There is ALWAYS more beta.
One last thing I thought worth mentioning is on the subject of grades. The climbs here are done without ropes and were thus given V grades by their first ascentionist(s). I can't help feeling, and it's been said by others, that the far more appropriate way to grade these problems is using route grades, as they climb much more like sport climbs than boulder problems, obviously without the bolts. Natural D's feels around 5.12b/c to me, and I've heard The Nemesis called 5.12+. Just a note if you're coming to the cave and want to know what to expect. Dec 13, 2018
Kansas City, MO
One under the middle of Natural Ds and the other a bit further out kinda under nemisis.
I tried to destroy one of them the best I could, but it was still pretty obvious what it was afterwards.
Is it common knowledge in the MO climbing community that fire under rock weakens it and leads to breakage?
Or are these fire rings from non-climbing users of the area?
In either case I don’t know what the solution would be (PSA signs?), but I figured the MO scene would like to know about the situation. Jan 6, 2023