SW MT Blocs: A Bouldering Guide to Southwest Montana

01/20/2017

WHISKEY CONDITION REPORT: Made it out to Whiskey Gulch today. Road was in normal winter condition with packed snow. Nothing too icey - you'll still want AWD/4WD but nothing too crazy getting to the 1st parking area. I would recommend parking at the last turn where the plowing ends and hiking the extra 5 minutes. Don't forget to bring a shovel just in case!
As far as the boulders go, it's definitely climbable but most top-outs are going to have snow. We made it to Caught in the Act (totally snow free), Tuna Juice (should be snow free with a bit of sun tomorrow), Senile (still some snow on the easier upper few feet) and Pope's (bit of snow/ice on the top out). Long story short, get out there and go bouldering!

12/16/2016

If you're in Montana, you're probably not going out bouldering today so here's the next best thing - Backwoods Bouldering Southwest Montana! More than a half hour showcasing some of the best new boulder problems in SW Montana!
https://vimeo.com/184129716

A local climbing production of Bozeman, Montana's surrounding bouldering areas including the Gallatin Canyon, Hyalite Canyon, Madison River, and Yankee Jim…

05/04/2016

Who's getting psyched for some summer bouldering high in the To***co Roots? Someone still needs to climb the project pictured below at Mason Lake. Bring a few pads and a spotter though! If you want the beta for this amazing project and tons of other fantastic problems in the To***co Roots make sure to get a copy of SW MT Blocs! The book is available at swmtblocs.com and at the following retail stores:
-Spire Climbing Center (Bozeman, MT)
-Country Bookshelf (Bozeman, MT)
-the MSU Bookstore (Bozeman, MT)
-Vargo's Jazz City & Books (Bozeman, MT)
-Timber Trails (Livingston, MT)
-Steepworld (Billings, MT)
-the Base Camp (Billings and Helena, MT)
-Grizzly Outfitters (Big Sky, MT)
-IME (Salt Lake City, UT)
-Mountainworks (Provo, UT)

02/13/2016

Whiskey Gulch Condition Report: For anyone thinking of heading out to Whiskey during this stretch of beautiful weather remember to drive an AWD/4WD vehicle and bring a shovel! The road is in prime spring condition with deep slush in a few long stretches. I got stuck for about 20 minutes today (Outback with bald tires...) but was able to free myself and get out. Gonna have to get new tires I guess... As for the bouldering - almost all of the rock is snow free. There's still a few hold outs with some wet streaks (start of Wave Runner), but if the forecast holds they'll dry up soon.
Who can name the problem that the ITB is trying in the photo?

01/25/2016

If you're itching to get out on some real rock the Madison is prime right now - totally snow free! I haven't personally made it out this winter, but I would guess Whiskey is good to go as well. If you've been getting out post up on the conditions and I'll make sure to share! Also, remember to let me know if you've put up any new problems or if you've completed any of the projects in the guidebook.
Here's a short video I put together of some problems I climbed around Bozeman in the last year or so. A couple are in the guidebook, while the rest were established since the guide was published. Enjoy!
-EC

https://youtu.be/9HtEaqu1M7A

A few boulder problems from the last year or so around Bozeman, Montana. -On the Fence V4 FA @ Cataract Reservoir, To***co Roots, MT -White Horse V6 @ Overha...

08/26/2015

Send temps are just around the corner! Make sure you can find your way to the problems with SW MT Blocs: A Bouldering Guide to Southwest Montana! The guidebook is available at Spire Climbing Center (Bozeman), Steepworld (Billings), and the Base Camp (Billings). You can also purchase the guide directly from me at the Bogert Farmer's Market every Tuesday through the end of September. If you live out of town the guide is available at swmtblocs.com. Free shipping for now!

06/02/2015

SW MT Blocs: A Bouldering Guide to Southwest Montana will be sold at the Bogert Farmer's Market every Tuesday this summer, beginning tomorrow, June 2.. Come on down, get some food, check out the booths and buy a guidebook! Look for the guy with all the ski stuff on the west side of the pavilion. Cash or credit cards accepted!

05/12/2015

SW MT Blocs is now available at Spire Climbing Center!

We are stoked to announce that SW MT Blocs: A Bouldering Guide to Southwest Montana has been released and is now for sale at Spire! This excellent guide contains beta for over 1,000 boulder problems in 6 different areas and is a must have for anyone interested in exploring the multitude of boulders in the region. The guide is available now for $35. We also carry a variety of other bouldering staples such as chalk, brushes, tape, chalk pots/bags, bouldering pads and climbing shoes. Come pickup a copy today and get ready for the summer sending season!

05/08/2015

I'll be selling the guidebooks at Spire Climbing Center tomorrow, May 9, from about 9AM to 6PM. Cash and all major credit cards will be accepted. Stop on by to buy a book and watch the kids climbing in the SCS Big Sky Regional Competition!

05/06/2015

It's here!!! SW MT Blocs: A Bouldering Guide to Southwest Montana has made it to Bozeman and I gotta say, I'm pretty proud of how it turned out. It wouldn't be nearly as nice of a book without the help of a lot of people. Thank you to the photographers who contributed some amazing shots: Matthew Abbott (Cover Shot!!!), Jessica Schau Groseth, Peder Groseth, Ben Herndon, Jeff Ho, Brett Jessen, Loren Rausch, Henry A. P. Schlotzhauer, Laydee Sharkfist, David Sjöquist and Kevin Volkening. A big thanks also goes out to guidebook/pamphlet authors who let me include their beta in this guide: Jeff Ho, Alan Kline, Loren Rausch, Aleksander Tkach, and Jeff Webber. Huge thanks to Jeff and Sarah Day Ho for proof-reading the guidebook, catching my mistakes and giving me lots of suggestions that made it much easier to look at. Also, thank you to Bill Dockins for his advice on the guidebook printing and publishing process. Thank you all!!!
For everyone mentioned above and for everyone who pre-ordered a copy, I'm hoping to have them shipped out or hand delivered to you by tomorrow (Wednesday) morning.
For everyone else, you can order the book at swmtblocs.com or I will be selling them at Spire Climbing Center all day Saturday (May 9) during the SCS Big Sky Regional Competition. Come watch the kids climb and buy a guidebook!

05/05/2015

Guidebook has shipped from the printer and should be here within a few days! If you pre-ordered the book, live in Bozeman and would like to get the guide a little sooner than the post office will allow shoot me a message and we can arrange a pick-up in town!
Same goes for those who are considering purchasing the guide on the website. If you'd like to pick it up in town leave a note on the paypal check-out or shoot me a message here.

04/30/2015

The guidebook should be out within the next few weeks and I'm starting to take pre-orders on the website - swmtblocs.com. Through June shipping (within the United States) is included and $1 from every copy sold with go to the Alex Lowe Charitable Foundation for their Nepal Earthquake Relief Fund.