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Black Ice

, Sport, 60 ft (18 m),  Avg: 3 from 5 votes
FA: Equipped by Lee Terveen. FA: BBQ
S Dakota > Spearfish Canyon > Ice Box

Description

Way fun climbing on bullet-proof, black rock. A toe-tapping, spider-like, technical start makes you huck for a huge, bucket of a ledge. What comes next involves a tricky, follow-through sequence to a nice rest. Take advantage and get it all back. You're gonna need it.

The rest of the climb makes its way up small pockets to killer crimps. A pumpy sequence with small holds at the crux leads to more blue-collar climbing that makes you heave and huck for fun holds between big moves.

Watch your speed and don't slip! Black Ice gets you pumped and keeps you pumped right up to the anchors and beyond.

Location: Lower Ice Box

Just a bit harder to find than the other Ice Box routes!

Park at Shadowlands and walk down the paved road towards Cheyanne Crossing for about 50 feet. Look left and up into the grass and trees for a trail that starts at a busted up stump. Hike up the hill for a short distance. The first routes you will see will be the 5.12's on a blonde wall. Walk a bit farther down canyon on a lumpy trail until you get to a narrow, black wall with two routes on it.

You can see the paved road below you during the entire short hike. If you hike past a house with a green roof you have gone too far.

Shares its start with Whore Frost, Black Ice is the variation that goes right.

Protection

Bring 10 quickdraws.