Chopping Block

Description 

This is the namesake rock for this area. This rock is steep on all sides, and provides many hard routes from 5.9 to 5.13. The most popular routes on this rock are Baba Cool (5.9+) and Meat is Murder (5.11).

Getting There 

Follow the trail up the hill from the parking lot. Wrinkled Rock is on the right, and Chopping Block is on the left. First encounter a steep bolted line called Tender Vittles, but continue uphill for the rest of the routes. Go around the corner to the left when possible and look for two faces with a large dihedral in between. This is where the bulk of the climbing is.

The Classics

Featured Route For Chopping Block

Valdez Overhang 5.9  SD : Mount Rushmore National Mem... : ... : Chopping Block

Valdez Overhang is a classic 'gym' line in the Chopping Block climbing area. Finding it is a bit tricky your first time, but this route gets so much traffic that the trail becomes obvious. From the CB sign-in (with your back to the road) walk on the trail leading to your left. Follow this up a smaller run, down a little, then way up a steep hill past large granite faces on your left. See such lines as "Slang" and "Snow Emergency Route" overhe...[more]   Browse More Classics in SD