Route Climbed: Assembly Line Date Climbed: August 2004
A great outing with My favorite SP lurker Assembly Line is a strenuos by not too difficult classic crack climb. I was also here in 2000 with Larry Cote and climbed here some in the late '80's as well. A very special place.
Route Climbed: Durrance Date Climbed: September 2004
My husband and I climbed Devil's Tower with some friends 9 months after the birth of our first child. It was a wonderful experience and incentive to get back into climbing shape. My sister came along to watch our daughter while we climbed. On the last pitch, I could hear our daughter crying.
A guy we met in the parking lot named Roy Burke bummed a ride on the rope in exchange for taking some photos. Strange summit. I could hear the cows like they were right next to me.
Route Climbed: Soler and many others. Date Climbed: Aug. 30 - Sept. 3, 2004
What an amazing place.....nothing but quality climbing and great atmosphere. Met Frank Sanders (bigwally) and had a great time hangin with him and all his guests. The trip was made so much easier with his help on route locations, must-do routes, and other general info (not to mention his hospitality). We will be making many more trips to this incredible place.
Yikes. Spent about SIX HOURS on this route, and about 4 1/2 of that was waiting for the folks in front of us. If you're going to do this route be there EARLY! Otherwise I'd recommend one of the others....
Route Climbed: Durrance Route Date Climbed: August 9 1981
With E Sandbo, M Woodmansee & L Rassmussen. After a 23 hour drive from home leaving after work on Friday arrived at Devils Tower Saturday evening in time for a walk around the peak. Good nights sleep and up early in morning to walk up to route. Scrambled up start of route and visited with Ohio Mountaineers who were belaying approach. Climbed up first pitch a little intimidated by steepness of route also rock grain was coarse but slick. Second pitch climbed up to crux and while jamming hand into crack pigeon flew out of crack at face level, nearly soiled partners on top of column below. Rest of climb uneventful but fun.
Route Climbed: Durrance Date Climbed: August 6, 2004
After getting hosed (every day like clockwork) in the Cirque of Towers, decided to cut our stay there short (5 instead of 8 days) and head for the greener pastures of eastern Wyoming. Climbed Durrance route with Shirley and we wished we had more time there to try a couple more routes...unfortunately had to drive back to SLC for a flight home. It was a pleasure to run into and chat with Frank (bigwally)! We owe him thanks for his invitation to camp out at his Devils Tower Lodge!!
Route Climbed: Durrance Date Climbed: May 31, 2004
What a spectacular formation! This route is a must-do for anyone visiting the tower who appreciates the classic's. A very special thanks to Frank, Kate and Yaap (sp?) for their warm friendship, gracious hospitality, and wonderful food at the lodge
Route Climbed: Durrance Route with direct finish Date Climbed: April 16th, 2004
Awesome climb and awesome weather made this a great trip. The climb was a little more challenging then the ratings seemed to indicate, but it was still a relatively easy climb.
Just another amazing day at the Tower...Frank & I topped out via Durrance again. The snow inside the wider cracks and the ice water trickling into my armpit made it especially fun today. My first summit in 2004. RIP Jackie D. Your shoes are waiting at the visitor's center if you come back this way.
Frank was very hungry after hauling the pig. He made a flying tackle, nabbed one of the summit deer and carved off some lovely steaks. God bless Wyoming and keep it wild.
Route Climbed: Durance Date Climbed: September 02 2002
I've been to the summit multiple times. It's gets better each time I go there. I would like to extend many thanks to Mr. Frank Sanders & the staff at Devil's Tower Lodge for the hospitality, the pancakes & the beta.
Route Climbed: Durrance Date Climbed: September 4, 1999
The rain kept us at bay for three days. After a two month climbing trip in the Wind River Range, we were content to wait. When it cleared up, Labor Day weekend had rolled around and we were surrounded. Our tent was hard to make out in the sea of RV's (road virus?) in the campground. We got in line at the base of the Durrance, struck up conversation with the other 20 or so folks waiting, then continued that conversation at every belay ledge to the top! A climbing club from Nebraska, roped into 4 teams of 4 each made the climbing leisurely. The guy behind us lead every pitch, and only used a set of hexes and a set of nuts (to go along with the tremendous pair he showed that day)! The climbing club offered to let us rap on their lines first, but we felt guilty leaving them since it was 20 minutes til dark, and they only had two headlamps in the entire group. We stuck around to help them get everyone down, then walked back to the campground for Filet Mignon and grilled corn on the cob.
Route Climbed: Durrance, El Cracko, Soler, Assembly Line,other short ones Date Climbed: August,2003
What an Amazing place. After driving across the "billiards table" that is South Dakota, and a few miles of eastern Wyoming, no one could logically expect to find such a tall and massive piece of rock, like Devils Tower. It was also Amazing because of the long and continuous nature of the cracks. I thought that I knew how to crack climb, before I got then !!! However, once ON the Tower I discovered that though the rock initially shows you that your crack technique is faulty, it also immediately begins to teach you how it is done the right way !!!! I learned sooo much in 4 days !!! Even though the temperature was hot we were able to stay in the shade for all of our climbing, by either starting very early or, following the shade as it moved around the Tower. With one notable exception, everyone that we met was very friendly and helpful, and also energized and touched by the "Power of the Tower"... It was in the midst of all these Positive Vibrations and Learning Experiences that a very dark creature emerged. A fellow, leading two others, met up with us on a belay ledge and quickly introduced himself as a guide and a very rude indiviual. He clipped over our anchor bolts and moved our gear aside without asking us. He then proceded to tell us that we were NOT good enough to be climbing on the (his?) Tower. That we had too much gear. That we were NOT even good enough to get in one of his classes and that we might consider going home. He struck me as a bit deranged and way negatively intense. He really "blew our buzz", and while we recovered from the afront, we SURELY did NOT need that attempted infusion from the Dark Side. That day when we signed back in with the Park Service, we asked who he was and found his name to be Andy Petefish. An internet "search engine" search led us to this site www.towerguides.org which really explained alot. If you are going to the Tower avoid this man and check out that website !!!!! Otherwise I think that Devils Tower could very quickly become my most favorite climbing spot yet. Yes, the cracks seemed hard to start with but, they got easier and very much fun as I simply allowed the Tower stone to teach me how to jam. If you are thinking about going to the Tower...DO IT!! If you haven't considered a trip there....start thinking about it!!!! I will be back !!!!!
Route Climbed: Durrance w/Bailey Direct Finish Date Climbed: July 18, 2003
What a great climb. Did the first pitch in our headlamps to beat the heat. Frank...aka Big Wally...made the off width look like child's play. He spent a lot of time laughing at our "face climbing" antics. Did the whole thing in 3 pitches. I loved it. I'm looking forward to going back and climbing some of the other classic routes...Soler perhaps???? Thanks to Frank and Lorna for their gracious hospitality.
mtnsavy - Jun 21, 2005 2:09 am
Route Climbed: Durrance Date Climbed: July 1998Polished
ksolem - Jun 16, 2005 7:39 pm
Route Climbed: Assembly Line Date Climbed: August 2004A great outing with My favorite SP lurker Assembly Line is a strenuos by not too difficult classic crack climb. I was also here in 2000 with Larry Cote and climbed here some in the late '80's as well. A very special place.
pakmassaro - Jun 6, 2005 2:04 pm
Route Climbed: Durrance Date Climbed: September 2004My husband and I climbed Devil's Tower with some friends 9 months after the birth of our first child. It was a wonderful experience and incentive to get back into climbing shape. My sister came along to watch our daughter while we climbed. On the last pitch, I could hear our daughter crying.
dvsanbt - Apr 25, 2005 3:48 pm
Route Climbed: Soler, El Cracko Diablo Date Climbed: April 22, 2005Summited via Soler on 22nd. fun climb, nice day. also climbed the first pitch of El Cracko.
jtree - Mar 18, 2005 10:55 pm
Route Climbed: Durrance Date Climbed: Summer 1992A guy we met in the parking lot named Roy Burke bummed a ride on the rope in exchange for taking some photos. Strange summit. I could hear the cows like they were right next to me.
climbmn - Oct 25, 2004 9:00 pm
Route Climbed: Durrance w/Bailey Direct Date Climbed: July 2, 2003Great day for a climb. Very hot, but good weather all around. Fun climb!
Tongie - Sep 14, 2004 1:55 pm
Route Climbed: Soler and many others. Date Climbed: Aug. 30 - Sept. 3, 2004What an amazing place.....nothing but quality climbing and great atmosphere. Met Frank Sanders (bigwally) and had a great time hangin with him and all his guests. The trip was made so much easier with his help on route locations, must-do routes, and other general info (not to mention his hospitality). We will be making many more trips to this incredible place.
Thanks again Frank!! We'll be in touch.
Clint.
Andinistaloco - Sep 9, 2004 4:59 am
Route Climbed: Durrance Date Climbed: 1997Yikes. Spent about SIX HOURS on this route, and about 4 1/2 of that was waiting for the folks in front of us. If you're going to do this route be there EARLY! Otherwise I'd recommend one of the others....
Still a great climb!
Derek Franzen - Aug 18, 2004 12:43 am
Route Climbed: Durrance Route Date Climbed: August 9 1981With E Sandbo, M Woodmansee & L Rassmussen. After a 23 hour drive from home leaving after work on Friday arrived at Devils Tower Saturday evening in time for a walk around the peak. Good nights sleep and up early in morning to walk up to route. Scrambled up start of route and visited with Ohio Mountaineers who were belaying approach. Climbed up first pitch a little intimidated by steepness of route also rock grain was coarse but slick. Second pitch climbed up to crux and while jamming hand into crack pigeon flew out of crack at face level, nearly soiled partners on top of column below. Rest of climb uneventful but fun.
rpc - Aug 9, 2004 1:06 pm
Route Climbed: Durrance Date Climbed: August 6, 2004After getting hosed (every day like clockwork) in the Cirque of Towers, decided to cut our stay there short (5 instead of 8 days) and head for the greener pastures of eastern Wyoming. Climbed Durrance route with Shirley and we wished we had more time there to try a couple more routes...unfortunately had to drive back to SLC for a flight home. It was a pleasure to run into and chat with Frank (bigwally)! We owe him thanks for his invitation to camp out at his Devils Tower Lodge!!
jwclimbs - Jun 3, 2004 11:06 pm
Route Climbed: Durrance Date Climbed: May 31, 2004What a spectacular formation! This route is a must-do for anyone visiting the tower who appreciates the classic's. A very special thanks to Frank, Kate and Yaap (sp?) for their warm friendship, gracious hospitality, and wonderful food at the lodge
Drifter - Apr 29, 2004 10:11 pm
Route Climbed: Durrance Route with direct finish Date Climbed: April 16th, 2004Awesome climb and awesome weather made this a great trip. The climb was a little more challenging then the ratings seemed to indicate, but it was still a relatively easy climb.
linnybelle - Feb 15, 2004 8:32 pm
Route Climbed: Durrance Date Climbed: 2/15/04Just another amazing day at the Tower...Frank & I topped out via Durrance again. The snow inside the wider cracks and the ice water trickling into my armpit made it especially fun today. My first summit in 2004. RIP Jackie D. Your shoes are waiting at the visitor's center if you come back this way.
Frank was very hungry after hauling the pig. He made a flying tackle, nabbed one of the summit deer and carved off some lovely steaks. God bless Wyoming and keep it wild.
Tony Ernst - Jan 18, 2004 9:44 pm
Route Climbed: Durrance Date Climbed: October 1998Got off to a late start due to rain and had to descend in the dark
ITRAD - Nov 27, 2003 7:06 pm
Route Climbed: Durance Date Climbed: September 02 2002I've been to the summit multiple times. It's gets better each time I go there. I would like to extend many thanks to Mr. Frank Sanders & the staff at Devil's Tower Lodge for the hospitality, the pancakes & the beta.
Zeus Sticky - Oct 23, 2003 4:41 pm
Route Climbed: north and west faces, southwest shoulder Date Climbed: October 16-19, 2003many thanks to the great beyond for gifts like the tower!!
also, appreciation to frank and the devil's tower lodge family for their splendid hospitality and company.
oh such a beautiful place.....
and some stellar climbing.
-dave
b. - Sep 3, 2003 1:31 pm
Route Climbed: Durrance Date Climbed: September 4, 1999The rain kept us at bay for three days. After a two month climbing trip in the Wind River Range, we were content to wait. When it cleared up, Labor Day weekend had rolled around and we were surrounded. Our tent was hard to make out in the sea of RV's (road virus?) in the campground. We got in line at the base of the Durrance, struck up conversation with the other 20 or so folks waiting, then continued that conversation at every belay ledge to the top! A climbing club from Nebraska, roped into 4 teams of 4 each made the climbing leisurely. The guy behind us lead every pitch, and only used a set of hexes and a set of nuts (to go along with the tremendous pair he showed that day)! The climbing club offered to let us rap on their lines first, but we felt guilty leaving them since it was 20 minutes til dark, and they only had two headlamps in the entire group. We stuck around to help them get everyone down, then walked back to the campground for Filet Mignon and grilled corn on the cob.
philwortmann - Aug 30, 2003 3:17 pm
Route Climbed: Durrance Route Date Climbed: May 03Hardest 5.7 ever!
marygilbert - Aug 28, 2003 1:57 pm
Route Climbed: Durrance, El Cracko, Soler, Assembly Line,other short ones Date Climbed: August,2003What an Amazing place. After driving across the "billiards table" that is South Dakota, and a few miles of eastern Wyoming, no one could logically expect to find such a tall and massive piece of rock, like Devils Tower. It was also Amazing because of the long and continuous nature of the cracks. I thought that I knew how to crack climb, before I got then !!! However, once ON the Tower I discovered that though the rock initially shows you that your crack technique is faulty, it also immediately begins to teach you how it is done the right way !!!! I learned sooo much in 4 days !!! Even though the temperature was hot we were able to stay in the shade for all of our climbing, by either starting very early or, following the shade as it moved around the Tower. With one notable exception, everyone that we met was very friendly and helpful, and also energized and touched by the "Power of the Tower"... It was in the midst of all these Positive Vibrations and Learning Experiences that a very dark creature emerged. A fellow, leading two others, met up with us on a belay ledge and quickly introduced himself as a guide and a very rude indiviual. He clipped over our anchor bolts and moved our gear aside without asking us. He then proceded to tell us that we were NOT good enough to be climbing on the (his?) Tower. That we had too much gear. That we were NOT even good enough to get in one of his classes and that we might consider going home. He struck me as a bit deranged and way negatively intense. He really "blew our buzz", and while we recovered from the afront, we SURELY did NOT need that attempted infusion from the Dark Side. That day when we signed back in with the Park Service, we asked who he was and found his name to be Andy Petefish. An internet "search engine" search led us to this site www.towerguides.org which really explained alot. If you are going to the Tower avoid this man and check out that website !!!!! Otherwise I think that Devils Tower could very quickly become my most favorite climbing spot yet. Yes, the cracks seemed hard to start with but, they got easier and very much fun as I simply allowed the Tower stone to teach me how to jam. If you are thinking about going to the Tower...DO IT!! If you haven't considered a trip there....start thinking about it!!!! I will be back !!!!!
cruzit - Jul 23, 2003 7:00 am
Route Climbed: Durrance w/Bailey Direct Finish Date Climbed: July 18, 2003What a great climb. Did the first pitch in our headlamps to beat the heat. Frank...aka Big Wally...made the off width look like child's play. He spent a lot of time laughing at our "face climbing" antics. Did the whole thing in 3 pitches. I loved it. I'm looking forward to going back and climbing some of the other classic routes...Soler perhaps???? Thanks to Frank and Lorna for their gracious hospitality.