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Bowling Alley- aka Durrance approach route 

5.5 PG13

   
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Type: Trad, 1 pitch, 100 feet
Consensus: 5.5 [details]
FA: 
Season: winter
Submitted By: russellHOBART on Mar 16, 2008

You & This Route  |  Other Opinions (21)
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BETA PHOTO: either obvious crack will lead to good belay ancho...

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North Face of Devils Tower is temporarily closed for falcons, AND has a voluntary closure each June. MORE INFO >>>

Description 

It's best to use this approach when there are no climbers on durrance and during the winter when the normal approach has snow and ice on it. The right crack has better pro but either one is run out.


Location 

keep following the trail until you get to the steel viewing tubes then head up


Protection 

medium to large protection



Photos of Bowling Alley- aka Durrance approach route Slideshow Add Photo
A cold winter day in the "warm" Bowling Alley.  If there is a crux on this pitch, this would probably be it.

A cold winter day in the "warm" Bowling Alley. If...

Queen Shauna displays her excellent face climbing technique in a premier crack climbing environment... <br />Go figure...

Queen Shauna displays her excellent face climbing ...

Eleven year old Joelle Gunnels practices unique off-width skills on the Gunnels family Tower outing...

Eleven year old Joelle Gunnels practices unique of...

Joelle enjoys the sunshine at the anchors.

Joelle enjoys the sunshine at the anchors.

Thirteen year old Jordan Gunnels on family day...

Thirteen year old Jordan Gunnels on family day...

Bowling Alley aka Durrance approach route

BETA PHOTO: Bowling Alley aka Durrance approach route

Matt G. Leading us up the approach.  Labor day weekend without a soul in site.  Lucky us!

Matt G. Leading us up the approach. Labor day wee...


Comments on Bowling Alley- aka Durrance approach route Add Comment
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By John Gunnels
From: Gillette, WY
Mar 17, 2008
rating: 5.4

WEAR A HELMET! This area is called the "Bowling Alley" for a very good reason! Regarding protection, the left crack will eat as many #2, #3 and #4 Camalots as you can beg, borrow or steal...

By joelhagan
From: Rapid City, SD
Mar 18, 2008
rating: 5.4

This is a nice warm up route for the Durrance and takes as much gear as you want to take the time to place.

There is a set of anchors straight up from the start, but I usually put a long runner on those and keep heading left, building an anchor near the start of the leaning tower. This helps avoid any possible falls on the exposed traverse.

By DreadsNropes
From: sd
Nov 5, 2012

did this one afternoon/evening. had no beta and didn't even own any pro. it was a little nerving at the "crux" which wouldn't been having have even a single placement. undoubtedly left me looking for more. can't wait to go back.