Black Elk is a good enough reason to drive all the way down the Mirror Lake Hwy and take the 20 min hike to the Ruth Lake Crag. It has an interesting, balancy beginning, followed by a bouldery crux, onto an exposed face. The rock has good friction, the holds are positive, and the pro is place a safe, sane distance.
Protection
New, well-placed bolts, spaced about 8 feet apart. Very safe and bomber.
[Hide Comment] An enjoyable climb. Move up small arete to right of roof. Stem your way through the recess in the wall. Take a break on the middle on a large ledge. Crux is at the top where you follow an off-width slopey crack. There are good holds, but be prepared to make boulder moves to get them. A challenging 5.10a. Great view!
Jul 26, 2008
[Hide Comment] I agree that this is a challenging 5.10a. Long route! Lots of fun! The headwall that makes up the second half is the best part.
Aug 19, 2008
[Hide Comment] Good sport route to climb on gear sans bolts. Takes decent smaller cams, 2-3 C3 and .3 to 1, and nuts well. Just to add a little spice to your life.
Jul 10, 2012
[Hide Comment] An absolute blast, might be my favorite climb. Navigating the mini chimney to the pumpy head wall is just fantastic. Highly recommended!
Aug 27, 2013
[Hide Comment] A really fun route to climb on gear. Protection is all there, if only a little tricky in a few spots. I would take a Standard rack up to maybe #2 or so and a full set of nuts. I made do (with healthy amount of run-out) using a set of peenuts and small cams from .2 - .75. If using only cams, it might be a good idea to double up from .3 - .75.
Sep 7, 2018
[Hide Comment] Do it all on gear and add some spice to your life. It's all there! Cams work well, nuts optional. Used nothing bigger than a .5 c4
Jul 20, 2020
[Hide Comment] climbed it with QUICKDRAWS on BOLTS (call me crazy) with a 70m. great route - the holds arent always obvious which makes the first go more difficult then at 10a IMO. but after you know the beta it does get a lot easier - still a power type of route. alpine for the first bolt, and nothing special after it. not the easiest route to TR b/c the anchor is a bit over to the right of the route. but doable if youre ok with a little swing.
Sep 13, 2021
Park City, UT
Pocatello, ID
Salt Lake City
Kamas, UT
Park City
If you have a wrench, bring it. As of 8/19, 5 of the 9 bolt hangers were spinning--the 1st, 4th, and 7th-9th if I remember right. Aug 20, 2015
Ogden, UT
Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City, UT
Evanston WY