Dalton Wash

One of the new areas Isaac has developed near St George is Dalton Wash (it is actually located a couple miles outside the town of Virgin).  This area is smallish and offers mixed quality rock but a few of the problems are world-class.  Dalton Wash is also awesome for a guy climbing solo with a 3 year old as many of the boulders are within eyesight of the parking and I could climb without always having to drag Hammie along (A short session while Hammie eats breakfast?  Don't mind if I do).  I spent several days here repeating many of the classics and adding a few problems of my own.

Here are a few pictures from Dalton Wash

 Atlas is one of those problems that make an area and has already attracted quite a few folks to Dalton.  It was the first problem I tried when I went there and was so good I did it twice.  Pleasing movement and a good combination of thuggery and technique make this a worthy test-piece.  In this photo Seth tries to get a feel for the toe-hooks at the end of Atlas. 

Milford's Cubical is a good problem on one of the better boulders at Dalton.  This techy dihedral is one of 7 establish problem on a large boulder.

Casey on another great problem on the same boulder as Milford's Cubical.  This problem and the arete to the left are top-notch but I don't know what they are called.  Must dos if visiting Dalton. 

 Isaac cleaned this new problem above Atlas that proved to be pretty awesome.  It involved big toe-hooks a blind dyno, and a tooth like hold. After figuring the beta Isaac, Seth and myself did it in succession and I think the name was the Tooth of Death or something like that.

 Seth snags a jug and Isaac nearly gets booted in the face.  This problem actually evolved slightly during our session but the "new" holds are solid and make the ending a bit spicier.  I don't know the name of this one but it comes highly recommended.   

Siemay getting her mantle on at the top of Hourglass.

A New Winter Destination

Life in St George is awesome.  I came with very little expectations, simply hoping to climb some new problems and do some exploring but what I've discovered is a new winter home.  Moe's Valley is all most people think of regarding St George bouldering but it is just the tip of the iceberg.  The sandstone bouldering in this region is endless and the rock is of good/excellent quality (Moe's Valley is of lesser quality than other areas).  There are also no major access issues, a great local crew and a kindred spirit in local developer Isaac Caldierio.

I don't believe I'm overstating it when I say the only things keeping this region from being a proper winter destination is developmental work and spray.  During my brief time here I've done a good amount of running around and brushing and I wish we had more time.  Hammie and I were meant to stay a few more days but a small storm is pushing us toward Vegas for our last couple of climbing days before heading to NM and then Sweden.  I will certainly be coming back to St George and if I can have my way I'll be spending the next couple winters frolicking amongst the endless sandstone boulders.

 Those boulders are huge and they continue for miles.

 Isaac on one of the gems he established at a new area called Dalton Wash

 Just a few more boulders that need to be explored/cleaned

 One of the better problems I put up.  "Keep Me Out of the Mud" is techy on perfect rock. The sit start is still undone.

We never got around to trying this mega-project.  Amazing line on bullet rock.

Isaac slays a long-term project: Force of Nature is born

It takes some serious dedication to spend days trying a single project and the degree of elation/relief that comes with a send is often correlated to the time invested.  Knowing this I can only imagine the happy endorphins flowing though my friends body when a multi-year ordeal finally ended.  Isaac Caldiero spent in the neighbor of 60 days trying a project in Moe's Valley and I was fortunate enough to be there when he finally managed to pull off the send.  Force of Nature uses trickery and burl to climb out a low roof on slopers/edges and ends with a dyno to a jug.  All things considered it is a great problem and if the effort Isaac put in is any indication it is probably the hardest in Moe's.  Now Isaac can breath a sigh of relief and find another project to obsess over.

Here are a couple pictures.    

Isaac gearing up for the first big move to a decent edge.

Sticking the edge

Bad sloper intermediate before another slopey rail.

Set up for the crux dyno

Sending!  Unfortunately the photo doesn't capture how close Isaac was to falling.  There was a fair amount of shaking when he stuck this dyno.

Lina in Moe's Valley

Before Lina went back to Sweden we escaped Salt Lake City for a couple days to climb in Moe's Valley.  She figured it was her last chance to climb outside for a spell.  Here are a couple pictures.

 Lina working out Device Ignitor 

 An awesome double arete

Success on Device Ignitor!

Somebody needs a new pair of shoes

Chasing Sun

After dropping Lina off at the airport in Salt Lake City and finishing work Hammie and I headed to St George.  Dad-camp is in full swing and in the next couple weeks we'll really get amongst it.

Our time in SLC was great as I got to shack up with a couple of my favorite people (thanks Hannah and Dain!) but I was ready to leave for warmer climates and dry stone.  Hammie and I will be spending the first leg of dad-camp around St George and due to the shear amount of rock I bet we won't be ready to leave for awhile.

Salt Lake City the day we rolled out.  It only took 20 minutes to escape the parking spot.

 Hodge making the most of a snowy day.

The scene outside St George.  Let the climbing commence