Blodgett Intro

Blodgett Canyon

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Summary

Blodgett Canyon
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

Blodgett Canyon
The Drip Buttress (left) and The Prow (Sept. 2015).

Blodgett Canyon
Flathead Buttress (Sept. 2015).

Blodgett Canyon
On the hike up to Shoshone Buttress (Sept. 2015).

South Face
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).

South Face
Pitch 3 (or first one off the Lunch Ledge) of South Face. Easy cracks to a 5.8 roof pull (Sept. 2015).

South Face
Shirley on pitch 3.

South Face
Shirley at the pitch 3 belay (Sept. 2015).

South Face
Starting up pitch 4 (Sept. 2015).

South Face
Views up canyon from South Face on Shoshone. Flathead Buttress is on the left (Sept. 2015).

South Face
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).

South Face
Unknown climber on the final pitch above us (Sept. 2015).

South Face
Shirley on the fun pitch 4.

South Face
Views down canyon towards the town of Hamilton (Sept. 2015).

South Face
More pitch 4.

South Face
Shirley starting the 5th and final pitch (Sept. 2015).

South Face
Pitch 5.

South Face
More pitch 5.

South Face
Top of Shoshone (Sept. 2015).

Blodgett Canyon
Shirley hiking down with the amazing looking Nez Perce spire looming above (Sept. 2015).

Blodgett Canyon
One more of Flathead Buttress (south face) – looks great!

Blodgett Canyon
Fall cometh early to Montana (Sept. 2015).

Blodgett Canyon
Hiking out after a fun day in Blodgett Canyon (Sept. 2015).

Montana
Are we in Montana or Utah??

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