Help me plan my climbing trip! :D

So! I just bought a car and I have two months off beginning mid-July. I'd like to spend the majority of those eight weeks climbing! Here are the facts:

- I'm starting in Seattle.
- I have a friend I want to visit for 5-6 days in southwest South Dakota.
- I'd like to stick around Western WA / Squamish for at least three weeks.
- My favorite climbing is alpiney trad of the moderate sort (I'll call myself a 5.8 leader breaking into 5.9) but I'm not opposed to cragging at splitters! I'm also into snowy climbing and glacier slogs.
- I'll be making this trip alone, so hustling partners needs to be doable.
- This is a vacation, so I'm going to be making pancakes, reading a lot, etc. -- low-stress is important.

What places should I visit? When? For those places, what's the best method of finding partners?

Thank you for your wisdom in advance :) Any general road tripping advice is also appreciated!

Alisse

Since you are heading to SD anyway, and since Wyoming is sort of in the way... I'd recommend the Cirque of the Towers, a pretty legit alpine multipitch trad area, and the Wind River Range is pretty awesome even beyond the Cirque if you are into glacial slogs and snow climbs. Tons of potential for awesomeness out there. (I've been to the Winds, not the Cirque yet).

mountainproject.com/v/cirqu…
summitpost.org/cirque-of-th…

Oh snap now I really want to go back!

No real advice on how to find partners for that area tho, you might be able to post in the Wyoming partner search thread. I'd totally fly out just to climb there but I have a fairly unpredictable schedule for this summer.

If you gave yourself a week out there, you could spend a day on each end for hiking in and out of the cirque, leaving you with 5 solid days to climb and read and cook all the pancakes you can carry in.

There's also the Tetons, which would probably be easier logistically, and likely easier for partners.

mountainproject.com/v/grand…

Whatever you decide, enjoy your road trip!

Cirque of the Towers and the Winds in general are great options, and by the time you finish hanging in western WA/Squamish you'll be reaching Wyoming at about the best time for dependable weather. Gannett Peak offers snow climbing/glacier slogs. The Tetons are excellent, but expect more bureaucracy and red tape for any back country travel since they're in a National Park.

After you've visited your friend in South Dakota, consider swinging south to Colorado and Rocky Mountain National Park. Lots of backcountry stuff, lots of alpine trad at the level you're interested in.

For Colorado at any rate, the Mountain Project partner finder is a great way to find partners. Post something a day or two before you want to do a climb and you'll more than likely have a partner.

Alisse, fellow road warrior, HI.

Squamish last two weeks in July. Help son move first week of August in Seattle area. SE to City of Rocks, SLC/Provo rock canyon, then probably east to Lander, Sinks Canyon and Vedauwoo.

Then south to Gunnison, Co. July/August/September time frame, no set plans yet.

I can one up you on the pancakes; eggs over easy, bacon, pancake on the side; or maybe sausage biscuits and gravy with a side of eggs. Cheese omelet, Western omelet, or Spanish Omelet.

Schedules will probably be a bit off but if you need climbing partners we always encourage others to join our little parade.

Be safe, climb on!

mark felber wrote:Cirque of the Towers and the Winds in general are great options, and by the time you finish hanging in western WA/Squamish you'll be reaching Wyoming at about the best time for dependable weather. Gannett Peak offers snow climbing/glacier slogs. The Tetons are excellent, but expect more bureaucracy and red tape for any back country travel since they're in a National Park. After you've visited your friend in South Dakota, consider swinging south to Colorado and Rocky Mountain National Park. Lots of backcountry stuff, lots of alpine trad at the level you're interested in. For Colorado at any rate, the Mountain Project partner finder is a great way to find partners. Post something a day or two before you want to do a climb and you'll more than likely have a partner.

If you need a partner for the winds, just let me know. The cirque is pretty snowed in this time of year but a couple more weeks of the weather we've been having and it'll be great. Just know that the approaches for the winds don't even compare to those for the Tetons or even places in Colorado. But don't let that stop you from getting out here, it's bloody beautiful

Thanks, all!! For the record, I'm down for long approaches.

Devil's Tower. Quite close to where my friend lives. Cool, uncool? I've read the page here... My time better spent in Wind River or Tetons, perhaps? Will the non-alpine temps be ridiculously hot in this area?

Thanks!

Umm you're already going to South Dakota so I would say spend as much time there as possible. It is world class and breath taking on its own. Granite Spires for days! Not to mention some of the best limestone sport climbing around! Seriously, drive up to Sylvan Lake or the Cathedral Spires and you will not want to leave. There's enough routes for a lifetime. I still can't believe that some people don't know about the place.

If you want to cram a lot of climbing in a short amount of time, the Tetons is your best bet. Accessibility wise it beats the winds. If you're looking for stunning vistas and the most beautiful peaks in the lower 48, the winds is gonna be where it's at. Plus I believe the quality of the climbing is much better in the winds but that's a personal preference

^^ What Davis said.

Now I really want to hit the winds soon... maybe i can finagle my way out there this summer... hmmmm

Devils Tower is a big sundial, so just chase shade around and it is usually pleasant. The climbing is terrific and it has a unique feel, so don't miss it.

I'd just hit places that are more or less on the way to and from South Dakota. Western Washington, Sawtooths in Idaho, City of Rocks, Tetons, Wind Rivers, Devils Tower, Black Hills.