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Summary
Blodgett Canyon.
Shitty Labor Day in CO completed our trifecta of being weathered out on long summer weekends – a trend that started with Memorial Day. Should’ve consolidated all those 1- or 2- day weekend extensions into a week off and gone somewhere that we’re really excited about… A week after Labor Day, Shirley’s job took her to Spokane and I joined for a day climbing. We drove out to Hamilton, MT and climbed the
South Face route (5P 5.8+/5.9) on Shoshone Spire in Blodget Canyon (best cragging by Spokane). Easy, fun and frankly with so many failures as of late we really wanted to go for a sure bet. Some of the other “spires” that line the canyon look amazing (& a bit intimidating) – we’d go back.
Photo Essay
The Drip Buttress (left) and The Prow (Sept. 2015).
Flathead Buttress (Sept. 2015).
On the hike up to Shoshone Buttress (Sept. 2015).
Starting up the first pitch of South Face on Shoshone Spire. It took us 2 longish pitches (this here 5.7-5.8 & one low 5th class) to reach the Lunch Ledge (Sept. 2015).
Pitch 3 (or first one off the Lunch Ledge) of South Face. Easy cracks to a 5.8 roof pull (Sept. 2015).
Shirley on pitch 3.
Shirley at the pitch 3 belay (Sept. 2015).
Starting up pitch 4 (Sept. 2015).
Views up canyon from South Face on Shoshone. Flathead Buttress is on the left (Sept. 2015).
Leading pitch 4 of South Face – probably the crux with many (flaring crack) options. Just keep aiming for the notch in the left arete (Sept. 2015).
Unknown climber on the final pitch above us (Sept. 2015).
Shirley on the fun pitch 4.
Views down canyon towards the town of Hamilton (Sept. 2015).
More pitch 4.
Shirley starting the 5th and final pitch (Sept. 2015).
Pitch 5.
More pitch 5.
Top of Shoshone (Sept. 2015).
Shirley hiking down with the amazing looking Nez Perce spire looming above (Sept. 2015).
One more of Flathead Buttress (south face) – looks great!
Fall cometh early to Montana (Sept. 2015).
Hiking out after a fun day in Blodgett Canyon (Sept. 2015).
Are we in Montana or Utah??
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