Guide service for Devils Tower?

Out him...Who is it?

I believe he's referenced "blood money" in regards to Frank as well. 

I'm not so sure that I've ever seen such strong loathing in regards to Frank nor anyone else on here...

I've stayed at Frank's, I've climbed with one of his guides on my first trip....nothing but good to say here.

The Blind leading the Blind here as expected. File your own FOIA and get the real truth, and watch how his guides work, but since you are just clients, you wouldn't have any idea what is really going on!

Wake Up!

Tom B.

Tom Blackburn wrote:

Frank Sanders is a Trust Funded Charlatan whose business has had multiple accidents at Devils Tower not to mention his Multiple 1996 Violations & Citations of the Climbing Management Plan. 

Just two days ago I witnessed one of his guides tell his small girl client (11 to 13 years old) didn't need a belay anchor on an exposed ledge on the Durrance Route. Had he fallen off he would have taken the little girl for a ride with him! I have many more facts alert you about as well. Free Camping and/or a free place to live does not make a good guide.

Franks Sanders was a pretty good climber in his day, but is without doubt the most dangerous guide I have ever witnessed! Just look at the photos on his website ~ a lot of his clients are not even wearing helmets, and this is why the chief ranger at the time had to make a rule make guide services require themselves and their clients where helmet when above the boulder field.

Frank, "The Charlatan", made the Park Service issue a No Smoking Rule on the Tower because he chained smoked at each belay annoying other climbers that were trying breath clean air while climbing hard. 

Furthermore, Frank, "The Charlatan", did not climb Devils Tower everyday for 365 days. BullShit!!  He had a fixed rope on El Cracko to do top rope soloing. And again, at the time this was, and still is, a violation 1996 Climbing Management Plan. He may have registered to summit everyday, but whether he did or not it is clear he did not. I live in NE Wyoming and have extensive Mountaineering Experience Wold Wide and it is just common sense that his fraudulent claim he Summited Devils Tower for 365 days is Bullshit. More Snake Oil Salesmanship.

File your own FOIA ( Freedom of Information Request ) with the Devils Tower NPS. 

There are no so blind than those who cannot see!  

With Trip Advisor and websites like Mountain Project the clients now lead the guides. 

Tom Blackburn

I've seen Frank guiding clients perhaps a dozen times in the last few years, I've never seen one without a helmet. That's not to say it hasn't happened, but it doesn't appear to be a common theme.

No smoking rule?  Where is that statute located?  I haven't noticed it on the permit/registration form.

Frank did not claim to summit everyday for Project 365, only "climb on" Deto. I can see how news reports may confuse this point.

The Blind leading the Blind here as expected. File your own FOIA and get the real truth, and watch how his guides work, but since you are just clients, you wouldn't have any idea what is really going on!

Wake Up!

Tom B.

Your contributions to this site seem primarily to vilify Frank. "Trust Funded Charlatan" seems to be an unsubstantiated attack on his character.  You ask us to do the leg work on a FOIA act to prove your point.  IF Frank's actions are as egregious as you say, post up the evidence, the onus is on you.

Did Frank outbid you on the lodge? Is that your personal beef? Is he a competitor to your business?

[Disclosure: I don't personally know Frank.  I did donate a few bucks to his donation jar when I stayed on his lawn once.]

Do your own research. I have no economic concern in this matter. There is no onus on me nor do I have to prove anything to a bunch of sycophantic Frank Lover's that enjoy their Feebies for their uninformed and uneducated positive comments regarding him. I am just a truthful observer.

The no smoking rule used to be on the climbing registration card but is no longer there since it has been replaced by a park sign. Frank must have quit because I haven't caught him breaking the rules lately, but I did notice a pack of camels in his car recently.

Tom B.

Tom, you are the one making the claims.  The onus is on you to provide the evidence to support those claims, not us, the uninformed masses.

Statements like, "Do your own research." or "Wake up" are the calling cards of the delusional. I'm just surprised you haven't used "sheeple" yet.

Heck, I'll weigh in.  

I climbed for two days last July with one of Frank's guides, Juliusz, who was amazing.  He was a great teacher who was able to assess my ability and knowledge as a fairly experienced climber, and not over-explain things.  He provided the information I needed and wanted to make for a great climbing and learning experience. And bombproof safe !

As for Frank: I did not climb with him but spent time with him at the lodge and had a couple long telephone conversations concerning DT history, as well. He is one of the more entertaining and interesting individuals I've met in my life.  A great and gracious host.  And quick witted !

Anyone disparaging, Frank or his business without specifics AND hard evidence is, IMHO, harboring a personal grudge.(and should shut the F#$% up.)

For Frank +++++++++++++++++ !!!!!!!!!

brian n wrote:

Heck, I'll weigh in.  

I climbed for two days last July with one of Frank's guides, Juliusz, who was amazing.  He was a great teacher who was able to assess my ability and knowledge as a fairly experienced climber, and not over-explain things.  He provided the information I needed and wanted to make for a great climbing and learning experience. And bombproof safe !

As for Frank: I did not climb with him but spent time with him at the lodge and had a couple long telephone conversations concerning DT history, as well. He is one of the more entertaining and interesting individuals I've met in my life.  A great and gracious host.  And quick witted !

Anyone disparaging, Frank or his business without specifics AND hard evidence is, IMHO, harboring a personal grudge.(and should shut the F#$% up.)

For Frank +++++++++++++++++ !!!!!!!!!

Here you go Jason. Sheeple Sycophants defending something they no nothing about here. You would not know if you were safe or not Brian. If you did, you would not be hiring a guide that works for Frank. I look forward to the Libel and Stalking charges. 

I'm just a truthful casual observer not a sycophant with Normal Bias and Cognitive Dissonance, and I will continue to speak my mind as the 1st Amendment Provides.

Do the research folks.

Have a good day!

Tom B.

Tom Blackburn wrote:

Sheeple Sycophants 

I think that was the punk band that I auditioned as lead singer for in 1987.

I also know that 15 active years as a climber in the last 20 allows me to determine whether I was "safe" or not.

Tom B. your trolling ways are obvious, crude, and unsubstantiated. I will waste no more time on you.

Tom Blackburn's post look really familiar to me.

I have been a moderator/administrator for summitpost for many years and have seen this before.

I would say that there is at least a 90% chance that "Tom Blackburn" is Andy Petefish.  

Mike Mu. wrote: this guy http://www.devilstowerlodge.com/

This site is really useful to me. Do you know which good websites about Europe traveling?

Frank and Will are both amazing people, I would go with either ! Guided climbers are usually not very experienced and both of these services are super patient and encouraging!!  Whatever the grade you climb they will treat you right.

If you go with Frank - and your a beginner  ask for Leigh. He is the most enthusiastic and patient guide at the Tower!

I work for Sylvan Rocks, we do Devils Tower summit trips as well as climbing in Needles of Custer State Park and Mt. Rushmore.  Check us out!

Dear Tom Blackburn,  May You Be Well. May You Be Happy. May You Be Safe. May You Be Peaceful and At Ease. May Life On Earth Be Filled With Love and Kindness...

Dear Tom Blackburn, May You Be Well. May You Be Happy. May You Be Safe. May You Be Peaceful and At Ease. May Life On Earth Be Filled With Love and Kindness...

Never hired Frank but met him while climbing. He’s a great dude.

Frank Sanders wrote:

Dear Tom Blackburn,  May You Be Well. May You Be Happy. May You Be Safe. May You Be Peaceful and At Ease. May Life On Earth Be Filled With Love and Kindness...

Well done!