[Hide Comment] Interesting note: Record for number of times this route has been lead up and lead down continuously (without stopping at the top or bottom) is TEN!!!

M.S. holds the record. Any challengers? :) Aug 29, 2002

[Hide Comment] I was on this route earlier this summer, and a small hive of wasps was living in a pocket somewhere around the 3rd bolt (just to the right). Although they buzzed around each person who climbed it, only one of us got stung. Aug 29, 2002

[Hide Comment] The photo below isn't of Valdez Overhang. It looks like Jeremiah is on Double Chin (11c) (just before it cuts out right) or he is on Tomcat Tracer (13a) that goes straight out the roof above him. Feb 17, 2003

[Hide Comment] Greg is right. That is not Valdez. It looks more like Double Chin, as Tomcat Tracer is, I think, a bit left of where the climber is positioned. Good eye Greg. Not only do you know every hold in the northern hills, but the southern as well. Ha!

Love, David Feb 19, 2003

[Hide Comment] This route is nowhere near the Chopping Block formation. It is on a formation called Birthday Rock that is well southeast of the major formations in the Chopping Block area. Oct 4, 2003

[Hide Comment] Brad! You're nowhere near the Chopping Block, silly! You are in Gillette! So, is Valdez Overhang in Monster then? Or is it at Sylvan Lake!? How about South Seas? Which area is it closest to? Oh, now I am all mixed-up. See what you've done, you big gerbil. :) Oct 5, 2003

[Hide Comment] While Valdez is in the Chopping Block Area, it is not on the Chopping Block formation (The formation that contains Baba Cool, Twelve White Sticks, Meat is Murder, Puppy Stew, Going Up to Harlem with a Pistol in My Jeans, ect.), where you have it listed... Posting it on the same rock as Baba Cool might lead to confusion... and who are you calling a gerbil? I think Verdell needs his supper, you fruity little man! Oct 6, 2003

[Hide Comment] Oh, I see what you mean. Yeah, this route isn't on the Chopping Block per se. It's at Inner Outlet at Sylvan Lake.

Brad, you should've seen Verdell the other day after you left. He was SOOOOO tired! He hadn't drank any water in...must've been eight hours, and he hadn't eaten since the night before. He was practically passing out!! He's funny like that--passing out when he's severely dehydrated. I just yelled at him to move whenever he woke up and he did...kind of--he twitched. It was funny. Anyway, this silly, fruity bastado is going to shoot some video with some Minneapolis freaks. Peace in the Middow East, Bones. And when it gets hard, well you know the rest. Gottagetitgoodmyman!

Oct 6, 2003

[Hide Comment] Hey Dan, I once ran up and down a ladder 32 times without stopping. Any takers? Seriously is this what you all have reduced climbing to in the hills? Lame!!! Not Anonymous Coward!

R. Oakley Asscherick Jun 19, 2004

[Hide Comment] Yo, Asscherick!

You ran up a ladder 32 times! SWWWWWWWEEEEEEEEEEEEET!!!!! Any climbing is good climbing, right!?! I'm really excited for you. You should seriously post some pics of you climbing that ladder, dude! Pictures and stuff help to motivate when the weather's this crappy.

• Rain, rain go away; come again on a rest day* (opera-style singing)

Rock on!

Love Always,

The Veal Chop

PS. Renegades: when are you coming back down to Baldy? I need a good laugh. Oh, and you need to shave Noah, Bo. I want to see the reactions of the climbers in South Seas when you bring your yellow-haired Chow in there shaved like a lion. Do you have to have a permit to walk your lion in the monument area? Jun 19, 2004

[Hide Comment] This route is an awesome route. The holds are sweet all the way up. I climb this route any time I come to Rushmore. Except the third bolt is getting a little loose. other than that the route kicks ass. Jun 14, 2005

[Hide Comment] I find this route appeals to those whom are to lazy or uncapable of climbing 100+ foot pitches. The route is okay at best. Not a good lead for the begining 5.9 leader. This route would be rated 5.8 in Spearfish or Lander. Jun 26, 2005

[Hide Comment] For AC submitted 6/26/05: Why the negativity? Why even take the time to write in if you gotta slam something someone else has taken the time to put up? There is so much good to say about this route. Why isn't it good for the beginning 5.9 leader? You say that but don't explain why. I think it's great for the 5.8/5.9 leader. Great route to practice downclimbing, great for a lazy day after 3 days of burly ripping (which is subjective, by the way), well-protected, great hangers on top, great for beginners looking to step up from routes like toy boat and boxcars, great for getting your head together if you're not used to leading steep climbs... Some of us don't have the head space to be 20 feet above the last bolt on little crimpers with 10 feet to go, but hey, we can encourage those who don't and admire those who do.

Not everyone starts off leading 100'+ pitches in the canyon or up in Lander. The vast majority start on easier, short climbs and work their way up from there. Climbs like Valdez are rungs on the ladder that we all have to step on to get to the harder, longer stuff. It takes all types to make this world diverse, and diversity is what keeps it interesting!

I would encourage 5.9 leaders to get up there and give it a try. If it's too short for your taste, do it twice.

Also, I see alot of people trying to compare granite to limestone. Why even try? They're so different... Let's be thankful that we have both in the hills and the freedom to choose where we go.

Eric Jun 27, 2005

[Hide Comment] Eric,No negativity, just my humble opinion.I disagree with most of what you post but don't attack you.AC Jun 28, 2005

[Hide Comment] AC - thanks for not attacking. I respect disagreement, but I believe it would be more constructive if you took time to give reasons why the route sucks. I am curious, and perhaps would agree with you and see it in a different light if I knew your reasons. To a new climber like me, a comment like "this route appeals to those lazy or unable" doesn't say anything except that you are bitter for some reason. Peace,

Eric Jun 29, 2005

[Hide Comment] Eric,I did not say the route sucks. I just believe it to not be very engaging nor thought provoking plus it is very short in the land of longer pitches (Lead Fillings or Roadside Plum). Likewise in the City of Rocks,ID or Boulder Canyon, CO it would be rated 5.8. Ratings are ratings... Opinions are opinions! The Canyon is stiff but on a national standard Valdez is 5.8 when compared to other granite areas. There are some whom believe it is only 5.7. Expand your horizons and travel, travel, travel. Sorry to have a delayed response but I've been on the road myself the last couple of weeks.AC Jul 16, 2005

[Hide Comment] This route kicks A**. The holds are massive and all the moves and clips a awesome. Mar 20, 2006

[Hide Comment] This is a very fun route, but I really didnt think it was 5.9, seemd a bit easier that a .9 should. But definitely a must do! Aug 27, 2007

[Hide Comment] very fun! lil hike and hard to find but go with someone who knows where this is and its weellll worth it! My favorite in the hills so far! Mar 30, 2011

[Hide Comment] in my opinion i would put this one at an 5.8 or 5.7+ as a new climber about 3/4 years ago, it was my very first lead. ya, as a beginner it was intimidating, but as i have moved to spear and been in the canyon for the last year and a half, and there is virtually no T/R'ing, coming back to this yesterday was a walk in the park. top move is fun for the short guy. a good one for the beginning climber is waves over in the south seas area. 2 pitch, well protected, exposed, and one hell of a view Jul 13, 2012

[Hide Comment] youtu.be/HjSyFWnmDkw Sep 26, 2023