New and Experienced Climbers over 50 #39

Thanks for the welcome, Guy! And thanks to Dan for some great photos, none of which I’ve ever seen. That photo of Charlotte and me on Sheila is priceless; truly the best we now have of ourselves. 🙏🏼  

Bill Lundeenwrote:

Thanks for the welcome, Guy! And thanks to Dan for some great photos, none of which I’ve ever seen. That photo of Charlotte and me on Sheila is priceless; truly the best we now have of ourselves. 🙏🏼  

It’s a pleasure to be able to share the photos. I remember that day well. Just the three of us and our dogs climbing in a beautiful place. 

Guy Keeseewrote:

Did Idaho change the rules for reservations?

Yes, to make reservations go to:  parksandrecreation.idaho.gov for reservations in the City or Castle Rock State Park(Smokey Mountain Campground).  Reservations at these two places can no longer be made on ReserveAmerica.com.

There are now two or three commercial campgrounds in Almo and these can be found on ReserveAmerica.com.  City of Rocks RV and City of Rocks Camp and Climb.  The reservation window goes through early May 2026 at this time.

Today is election day, and, I'm very happy to report, I got almost nothing whatsoever to vote on.

Except an open space levy. This isn't the first, and hopefully not the last. For only about $40/year, money gets used to buy up, well, open space. That means our foothills, mostly, but it can also be applied to other spaces and the projects that go with it.

We have a terrific trail system here, a big part of what makes Boise, Boise!

Many miles of paved greenbelt paths, too, both sides of the river. 

I'm working through the sudden darkness trauma. That's okay. It'll start to get better. Only 6 to 8 weeks of it getting worse to get through, yay. 

At least we are relatively sunny in the winter, what little there is. I couldn't live in Portland or Seattle in the winter!

My climbing partner seems to have gone into full hibernation mode, so I may hafta go hit up some autobelays. Ugh. Anyone else just have a visceral dislike of actually letting go and dropping off a climb? I do it, but it bugs me, every time. I think partly because autobelays go faster than a partner would normally lower, or I'd go down, if I was rappelling?? 

I also have still not gotten to any gyms at all, even though I know I need that strength training. 

Aw well. 

picture of the day. In the process of cleaning out the van to put it in winter storeage.. looks like snow and mix ed precip in the works and that means saslt on the roads so she needs to be sleeping in Isa's barn before that happens.. always a sad day.. Its a real loss of freedom for me. 

Isn't a van good for going south in the winter? Seems like van season to me.

Go south in the spring.. climb ice and ski in the winter❄️ ❄️ 

this was so cool because when you are living out past antelope flats every day you wake up to this  scene without the buffalo and then one morning you wake up and there they are... 

Nick Goldsmithwrote:

Nick, where is this wonderful picture? While it somewhat resembles Lotus Flower, the face is too narrow. I also don't recognize it as anything that I am familiar with in our mutual Northeast region.

Al, I am pretty much positive thats Spare Rib in Gallatin Canyon, Montana

Norm Larsonwrote:

Al, I am pretty much positive thats Spare Rib in Gallatin Canyon, Montana

Thanks Norm. Looks like a beautiful route. Many ( many!!!!) years ago I climbed one route in Gallatin--an obvious 5.8ish line right above the road ( if my memory is correct---far from 'a given' these days!!!), called the Standard or something similar I believe. Pleasant climb.

Your memory is fine Al. The regular route up Gallatin Tower. It’s fun. Spare Rib is on the opposite side of the canyon and an undisputed classic 5.7.

It does look like a very mini Lotus Flower in that photo. Nowhere near as involved logistically 

Yep...Standard Route on the Tower and Sparerib...Gallatin Canyon classics!  

Standard Route on the Tower

Sparerib

Some of my old stompin' grounds...great memories from the 80's...  Great photo!

Wheeler Crest skiing and great atmospheric conditions. 

Spare rib is little and looks big ;) 

here is another lotus Flower tower tease.. Still very small compared to the real thing.. 5 Pitches I think? 

No guesses on where this climb is? I don't remember the name because we had no topo. Just word of mouth to drive up the canyon and look for the feature. Follow the crack to the top :)

Congratulations Lori you made it into Climbing Magazine!

Nick Goldsmithwrote:

No guesses on where this climb is? I don't remember the name because we had no topo. Just word of mouth to drive up the canyon and look for the feature. Follow the crack to the top :)

Congratulations Lori you made it into Climbing Magazine!

Still in Gallatin Canyon?  Maybe the Watchtower or Skyline?

I'm still getting out!
I had a fun afternoon on Betty with a friend today.
We were aiming for another route, but it was busy, and we didn't want to wait. And Betty was free, amazing.
There were gale force winds at the top of P2. It was nuts. There was nothing like that down lower.
Still, what a great day!  

Morning walk through an ancient forest. 

Brian. Right State but not anywhere near Bozeman..