Good outdoor bouldering in Minnesota

Where are some good spots...also being new to the sport I'm only doing v1-v3 indoors...will I be woefully unprepared? I would really rather be outside.

Chris treggE wrote:The best climbing in Minnesota is at Wisconsin!

Lies!

Taylors Falls (ie Interstate Park) is ~50mi from Minneapolis. There is good bouldering around Duluth and up the North Shore. Spend some time on the mountain project route database and you should find some useful info.

JW

It looks like the boulder at Louisville swamp is close to the cities...Would it be OK for a beginner?

The Louisville swamp is a perfect introduction to outdoor bouldering. This is where I like to take people for there first exposure to real bouldering because of its secluded setting, and the high concentration of easy problems.

Within a few sessions you should be able to do just about everything listed on mountain project - it is important to note: don't waste your time studying the mountain project page for info. what is posted is from a particular generation that climbed there. There have been many groups of climbers before and probably after - each with there own collection of problems that they enjoyed. So go - and try to surmount the rock, find your own lines and enjoy!

(this is where i fell in love with bouldering)

Just an FYI about the Louisville swamp boulder:

If the river floods, which seems almost assured this spring, it's very difficult to get to the boulder without getting wet/using your pad as a raft. Don't be dissapointed if you can't reach it until the river subsides.

Saying that it is a really sweet place for an afternoon session. Climb for an hour or so then sit on top and watch the sun go down.

It looks like I'm gonna try it solo...can I get by without a pad?

Hey Dave

My parents house in in Shakopee, I went down to the louisville swamp boulder, or tried to, but it is very flooded at the moment. I would loveto get out there asap!. I will definetly be down for a trip out there, once the water subsides.

The best crack in Minnesota is on Devil's Tower.

Suggestion: Jackness Boulder in The Potholes Area.

Anyone know if the swamp boulder is accessible?

I am also wondering if it accesable right now too. I might have a few days off this week, and I would love to try and get out there.

The middle road past the train tracks is flooded. I walked about 200 yards through 2-3 feet of water and gave up after I walked within a foot of a 3 foot snapping turtle. Seemed like a little too much effort. I went to the 145th parking lot and hiked to the trail where it splits to jabs farm but that was majorly flooded also. Looked for the Northshore Overhangs but no luck. It might be possible to go south from the lot past the Ehmiller site to the rock but I didn't have time to try it.

BTW...What is the closest bouldering to the west side of the metro besides the swamp? I'm aware of Taylors Falls but that is pretty far east and north.

Due to the flooding, the Louieville Swamp will be under water for a few weeks. Dont bother looking for the NS Overhangs, they will be completely submerged!

There is great bouldering at both Swedes Forest, and Blue Mounds. With a good number of established problems currently online. Take a look, and I hope that it encourages a visit. I may be at Swedes this weekend!

The best crack in Minnesota is on Devil's Tower.

1. You know the Devils Tower is in WY right?
2. Don't waste your time on the swamp boulder...
3. Best bouldering spots in MN: Taylors Falls, Red Wing has a handfull of problems -Thieves of wives, beginning to Pauls Boutique, Beginning of Anadonia, a few others, North Shore - Sawmill Domes, Wolf Ridge, few other places.
4. If you want good easy boulder problems go to Westby WI.

Forgot about Duluth! So much bouldering in Duluth!

Hopefully the boulder is dry this weekend. It was still inaccessible for the last 100-200 yards last weekend.