Montana 

Any one out there know of any climbing near the Great Falls area?

There is no climbing in Montana. Go away.

Why is it that folks are so sercretive about climbing in Montana, are there access issues, or do people just want it to stay low-key and uncrowded?

Ladd,
The latter. You can live in Montana for years and still not know all the climbing areas. But look at it this way--a lack of knowledge about a route maximizes your sense of adventure. A first ascent is only a state of mind. That said, plenty of MT guidebooks exist for those who want to maximize their route count.

Yes access issues. The montana climbing moffia kept Lost Horse secret, even from the forest service. Now it's slated to be quarried into chip seal. firstascentpress.com/losthorse.html It's not so secret now!

The climbing scene may be under the radar, but you just have to make friends with a couple of climbers (by supplying them with copious amounts of beer and meat, preferably Elk) and you'll easily get all the info you need.

It is really strange how Montanans want to keep areas a secret. I lived in Bozeman for ten years and climb about everywhere in the guide books and other areas not in guide books. Compared to other destination areas in the USA I do not see the big deal. I have never found one specfic area in Montana that I would consider a "Destination Climbing area" such as Red Rocks, City of Rocks, the Sierras or the Rockies. Just a smattering of crags here and there with lots of road between them. There is climbing south of great falls in White Sulfur Springs. A hand full of routes on the Stone Temples. Hard to find, hard to get too unless you know the area or Ron Brunkhorst. However I would take Jons advice. Get a guide book and go if you are so inclined. However I live in Fort Collins and I would take Lumpy Ridge Climbing over anything in Montana. Super solid Granite, hundreds of routes, up to six pitches, beautiful abundant long splitters and very few people unless you are doing a hand full of classics. People do not seem to like climbing without bolts nor bolt stations that much. Or go do a wall in the backcountry of Rocky Mountain National Park. Some areas you would be lucky to find another party.

I know of a good place to climb just outside YNP called Mill Creek, there is descent climbing there with plenty of routes, I'm just a novice but my friends really enjoyed climbing there

Is there much bouldering near bozeman. Or any good spots in the state?

Josh -
There's not much bouldering near Bozeman, but there's a lot starting about an hour from town. Yankee Jim Canyon has a bunch of stuff and there's a free guide that Bozeman locals Jeff Ho and Jeff Webber put together available online on my site: boulderingmontana.com The other large area is the massive boulder batholith between Whitehall and Butte. There's basically unlimited bouldering in the batholith, with Whiskey Gulch being the largest and oldest established area. Check out my site and Bouldering the Backwaters for more info, vids, photos, etc. Spire Climbing Center has a beta book as well that has info on some of the random boulders that are close to town.

Potential visitors to MT should be aware of the strict do-not-publish ethic that has prevailed here since the beginning of technical rock climbing. Internet info and to a lesser extent published guidebooks tend to be a poor representation of what's here. So make friends, buy beer, and explore!

Um, all of the new routes I was a part of this year in montana WERE published, on this website, so this "no publish" ethic is not that strict. Both of the new SW Montana guides have published alpine zones in them. Its not a secret, its not crowded, and it is a big deal.

Choss piles, that's all you find in Montana. Move along.

WS, I can't tell if you're tongue is in your cheek or not. The idea that Montanans all still adhere to the "do not publish" ethic you speak of is antiquated and not at all a good representation of most Montanans. Look at this year's AAJ for instance.

Anyone have any beta on the long stuff up the trail in Kootenai Creek?

i might have some info on the stuff up kootenai, depends on how far up you are talking about. which side of the creek?

Was curious about the walls on the north side. There's a tower-like formation I hiked past beyond sick bay with bolts, kinda looked like an easter island statue. Also was interested in the big cliffs about a mile up (Chief Charlo?).

Dan, I've heard about that stuff, but don't have any beta on it. Can't find anything so far, but i do know that there are some multipitch lines that go on that bigger wall, supposed to be fairly moderate.

any decent sport cimbing near Great Falls?
Im going by myself for a 60 hour/week job, and would like to rope solo on my one day off per week. Or meet up with potential partners?

There must be a few gems in the area, if there are and you don't want to post it here you can email me at WhipperTherapy@hotmail.com. (as in climbing whippers, thanks) I am a respectful climber who does not have a blog, and I have no interest in blowing your spots out.

Thanks from seattle,

Frank

I think the climbing up there is minimal but I have done some rope-soloing at sheep mountain and blue cloud down by Helena. Both areas are about an hour south and worth the drive

ROCK ROUTES in the LITTLE BELTS?

Will be cruisin the King's Hwy in a couple weeks. Would appreciate Beta on specific areas and moderate routes (craggin)in the Little Belts. Guidbook? Thanx in advance.

there has to be great climbing in montana... i lived in choteau for a year - where i was introduced to climbing - and there is an awesome crag around there.. lewis and clark national forest is also around there and the god damn rockies cruise straight through there.... I think montana is largely untapped - im thinking of spending a few weeks up there next summer and gonna try to find some more bouldering. It seems like the majority of montana climbers are very old school and mainly trad climbers - so the potential of coming across some gems and getting FA's sounds logical... I love boulder hunting. Will keep everyone posted...

Any good climbing near Missoula? I'm not asking for directions to your "secret spot" just a general feel about potential and established areas... Trad, sport, pebble wrestling, whatever. Please let me know!

I'm looking for a serious climbing partner in the Bozeman area. I recently moved here and don't know anyone in town. I don't have a job, as my main priority is climbing everyday. I am comfortable leading trad at 5.9, sport at 5.10s, and will follow anything you lead. I don't really drink or do drugs, and would prefer a partner who thinks the same way, but really I'm just looking for someone to get on rock with, even if its only a couple days a week. I like free camping, trying really hard, having a good time, and developing quality routes. Give a shout if you want to climb with a no-bullshit michigan kid.

The climbing sucks here.

Go to Boulder.

I climbed/cleaned a few dozen problems up in Blackleaf Canyon back in 2008, nothing online yet, so i guess I respect the no-publishing ethic?!
I find that kinda silly, so you want to keep everything to yourself, but feel cool with using guidebooks for red Rocks, California and gulp, Canada? Selfish?
One day I will put my Blackleaf info online and if you wanna say it's all been climbed you can explain the pre-climbed-choss-intact photos I have.
Love Montana and its climbing!!