Distinctly Montana Magazine

w w w . d i s t i n c t l y m o n t a n a . c o m 55 MEDIUM Backwoods bouldering in Southwest Montana www.distinctlymontana.com/boulder202 DISTINCTLY MONTANA | DIGITAL LOST HORSE CANYON CONTAINS A BOUNTY OF BOULDERS, AND GENERATIONS OF BOULDERERS HAVE HELPED DEVELOP THE PROBLEMS IN THIS AREA. Nate Wortham MARIA ANDERSON 3. WOLFE BUTTE Wolfe Butte is a climbing area in a canyon near Great Falls with a short approach. The relatively new limestone feels like "getting chewed by puppy teeth," according to Mountain Project, but the area has massive potential for growth. Anyone is free to develop there, with the caveat that your goal must be to come up with "thoughtful and aesthetic lines." Here, the etiquette is to leave the first ascent blank to avoid ego-driven development. There are two main areas: the Atrium—the first rocks you'll spot from the parking lot—and the Graveyard—located about 500 yards up the canyon. We recommend checking out the Atrium first. Warm up on Just a Little Prick (V3, three stars), and enjoy traversing on crimps toward the boulder's tip. Head to Power Plant next (V4, three stars), a sweet fifteen-footer on the Power Plant Boulder, which is the furthest one up the hill. The route begins from a sit-start on a ledge. You'll heel-hook and crimp your way left, toward an arete, where the going gets easier. Another good route is a shorty—November Rain (V4, four stars), which you'll find on the south-facing bit of the Cherts Til It Hurts Boulder. Again, head leftwards, via small crimps, slapping, and heel hooks, and one convenient big pocket. Careful—those puppy teeth are sharp! Cabin Creek Bar in Geyser is a great place to stop for sustenance on the way home. 4. LOST HORSE Lost Horse Canyon in the Bitterroot Valley contains a bounty of boulders, and generations of boulderers have helped develop the problems in this area. There are five main areas, all of which are within walking distance, though some may choose to drive to the Clearcut Area. This is a great place to build strength. Head to the Pull Out boulders to warm up on easy climbs like Crack (V1) and the slopey Bug Eyes (V4) on Egyptian Magician and try out Montana Meathook (V6) on the Gladiator Boulder. Once you're feeling good, truck over to a well-known Lost Horse tradition: the nearby Midnight Light Bulb. Here you can put your extra pads to use on climbs like The Dark Side (V6) and Cradle and All (V8). There's another boulder nearby called John Wayne, a big, high- ly-starred boulder in the Loho Batholith. Here you can do the Duke Traverse (V6) and the South Face (V6). If you're feeling like going hell for leather, Motherlode has a few tough beauties as well, Bitter- root Travers (V8), Corn Fed (V7), and Spread 'Em (V9/10, depending on who you talk to). Nap's Grill is a famous burger bar nearby that offers hefty por- tions. Order at the counter and enjoy this neighborhood staple. CONTINUED

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