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Outlets Rock Climbing
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| Elevation: | 6,129 ft | 1,868 m |
| GPS: |
43.8477, -103.5668 Google Map · Climbing Area Map |
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| Page Views: | 233,545 total · 853/month | |
| Shared By: | Peter Gram on Jun 24, 2002 | |
| Admins: | Peter Gram, Greg Parker, Mikel Madsen, Mark Rafferty |
Description
The Outlets around Sylvan Lake hold many fine face routes, and some wonderful cracks too. The climbing here is generally quite bold and runout, so make sure that you are solid at the grade of the climb (or go practice on safer routes near Mount Rushmore). Expect mostly face climbing on sharp, strong granite, often with widely spaced bolts. However, bring a rack for both cracks and face climbs. Often a piece of gear can be stuck in between bolts. Rappels are generally needed to get off summits, as most everything is a spire with steep faces on all sides.
Some of the Needles best bouldering is also here. This includes the Campground Boulder, Acid Test Boulder, Mood Swings Boulder, Outlet Boulder and more. For crack climbing, check out Classic Crack on Inner Outlet, Conn Diagonal on Outer Outlet, and Sex Never Did This to My Hands on Vertigo View. Also on Inner Outlet is the Wiessner Chimney, a namesake chimney done in the 1930's.
A pay campsite is located right near the lake. Expect this to be full on the weekends during tourist season.
Some of the Needles best bouldering is also here. This includes the Campground Boulder, Acid Test Boulder, Mood Swings Boulder, Outlet Boulder and more. For crack climbing, check out Classic Crack on Inner Outlet, Conn Diagonal on Outer Outlet, and Sex Never Did This to My Hands on Vertigo View. Also on Inner Outlet is the Wiessner Chimney, a namesake chimney done in the 1930's.
A pay campsite is located right near the lake. Expect this to be full on the weekends during tourist season.
Getting There
From Hill City, drive south for a few miles and then take a left at a signed junction going towards Sylvan Lake (highway 87). Drive up this road 5 or 6 miles to the entrance booth. Here you have to pay to get in the park. I would recommend getting an annual pass because Custer State Park holds South Dakota's finest climbs. Then park at the lot immediately on the left in front of the Sylvan Lake Store.
To get to the main climbing area, follow a trail around the lake towards the rocks. Some climbs can be seen just above the lake, but most require following the trail through a huge tunnel. Back in this area is the bulk of the climbing. Keep following the trail around to get to various areas.
To get to the main climbing area, follow a trail around the lake towards the rocks. Some climbs can be seen just above the lake, but most require following the trail through a huge tunnel. Back in this area is the bulk of the climbing. Keep following the trail around to get to various areas.
Classic Climbing Routes at Outlets
Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
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