Custer State Park Heli Logging

As many of you know,the good folks at Custer State Park are pretty scared of the Pine Beetles that are killing the trees as a result of the conditions brought on by the long drought in the west that "ended" a few years back. CSP is doing all they can to slow the spread of this little critter and the killing effects it has on the forest. They started by chopping infested trees up in 2' hunks. This is the reason why the Cathedral Spires area looks like a war zone. Well, for awhile it was a war zone.

The battle has moved on and they are now using more high tech tools. They brought in a Heli Logging Company with a way cool K-max helicopter to pluck the infested trees out of the forest w/o building roads over the rough and beautiful terrain that we all love. The K-max is all business. Designed to lift over 6000 pounds, it is a sky truck!! Parts of the places we love are looking pretty industrial this winter, but the end result is going to look GREAT. Only the stumps of the bug trees will be left, and a whole new vision of the park will come of it. We will see granite masses that have been hidden by the trees for decades. I'm willing to bet that boldering will go off like crazy now that you can see the rocks.


For some of you, the idea of logging might be hard to swallow, but for those of you who climb, this could do a lot to save our beloved climbing area in the event of a fire. Because our forest have been starved of fire, they are over grown. Thus when they do burn they burn HOT HOT HOT. As I understand it, very hot wild fires can change the structure of the rock such that all the great crystals and friction that make this place such an awesome face climbing area start to break down and fail when weighted. Not so good for climbing!!!!! So getting rid off all that fuel might be saving a classic climbing area. Mother nature weaves such a tangled web.

pile of toys

So its been cold here...yeah, really cold, and as it has spread across the nation, I'm sure you all understand. The weather has not slowed down the fun though. I been getting out a lot more to play outside then I ever have time to enjoy in the summer when there is climbers coming and bookwork to keep up with.

I can always tell when things are going good by the PILE of gear that coats my office floor. Esp. in the winter when everything you use has to dry out before its next use or storage. The toys tend to sprawl. Now this could be in part to my lazyness, but I try not to admit such things. I did pick up the rifle from the January hunt fest, but the ice climbing, skiing etc. type things never seem to get put away before going out the door again. Things could be worse. That pile is called the garage, but thats another subject.

Primal Quest

OK, I've done some crazy things in my day, but this whole Adventure Racing thing is beyond my reach. Even if I liked running, the thought of starting off a race with a marathon, then several hundred miles of Mountain Biking, Kayaking, and swimming, with some caving and climbing mixed in, all with out a marked course....yeah, no thanks. I did get a chance to hang out with Jan and Herb Conn and watch the action on the Tyrolean traverse that was set up in the Cathedral Spires. They seemed to think that was kinda cool, but also, preferred to watch it from afar with a spotting scope.

Congrats to all the teams, esp. the South Dakota team who was the first hometown crew to enter and finish in the history of Primal Quest. Thanks to all the volunteers who make this race happen and thanks to Jay and Dave for putting up such a cool jungle gym in our backyard known as the Needles.

Someone threw the switch.

It finally feels like summer and its as though someone opened the gate to let people in. You can defiantly see more visitors on the roads. I've noticed some out of state climbers around the area. The phone is ringing like crazy and the calendar is filing up.

If anyone follows my twitter, you might recall my comment about the infectious nature of the optimism of youth. With a few of the younger staff around again, and the town full of summer workers, it helps this sometimes grumpy guy see things through a different lens. Parents are most likely used to this, but the plastic house plants I care for rarely share such insight and magical moments. While I have no desire to return to those unstable days when just about everything was a new adventure (new job, new place, new living arrangement...sometimes a new relationship...) its fun to sit back and watch it all happen to someone else...and note how we all think during that time of our life...that its perhaps the first time someone has ever felt that way or done such a thing. If I recall, one of the members of the Rolling Stones said something to the effect the 'to be truly creative, you need to take yourself out of your comfort zone'. That is what I see all these people doing, and what I see missing in so many peoples lives. Its so easy to get bogged down with the daily grind, and that is a perfect way to loose your 'young at heart' status.

So take note a cue from the experts in challenging the 'norm'...learn from the youth.....get out there and try something new in the Black Hills. Run a trail instead of walk it, climb a rock, paddle a river farther then you ever have before, swim in a lake, peddle the hills, learn a flowers name. The opportunities are all out there, all we have to do is make the time.

If it happens to be raining tonight, and you can't get out to do something new, get yourself a copy of a book called, "The Other Way to Listen" by Byrd Baylor
(Author), Peter Parnall (Illustrator)....they team up to tell the story of a youth who is inspired by an old man....the when the sun returns, get outdoors and enjoy the Black Hills. Go alone, go with a friend, go with your mom, or best of all take a young person, and watch mother nature work her magic.

Fat Tire Fest

Don't Forget the Black Hill Fat Tire Fest is coming up soon in Rapid City, SD. Its a great event with rides -n- races plus food -n- fun. Check it out here

Starts May 22, 2009
Yeah, and Fat Tire Brewing is a Sponsor...how cool is that!

Following in the footsteps

Well, if you have not noticed, I really enjoy following in the footsteps (or sometimes standing on their shoulders) of Jan and Herb Conn. If you have never heard of them, well, you are missing out. They are currently a couple of cool ol' white haired people enjoying a quiet life devoid of most modern conveniences and hassles (yeah, they are still living w/o electricity and running water).

Before their 'retirement', they did the first ascents of some of the rad'est and bad'est climbing routes in the area...Oh, and then they did that little caving thing and discovered and mapped the first 60 miles of Jewel Cave (now one of the largest known caves in the world).

So again I was out in the Needles Eye Parking lot along Needles Highway in Custer State Park, looking up at a granite spire called the Bell Tower. It is the mass just west of the Needles Eye. Its around 200 feet tall and was first climbed circa 1952 by Herb and Jan.

Today I found myself there a the base with another living legend, Peter Lev. We really enjoy climbing together and he has explored a lot of these crazy Conn Routes, so he can get me started on the right track....which is a huge plus, because when you are following someone else its important to keep on their trail...as climbing off into uncharted territory without the proper gear can get wild in a hurry.

As it is, many Conn Routes have bold run outs (sections w/o protection), airy traverses, and grovely climbing, and our trip today had all his and more. Again I questioned why anyone in their right mind would do such things. What made Jan and Herb explore all those summits and deep dark holes? I'll never know.

Ones ability to belief in his ability to preform is key. When you grab a little hand hold or dance across some foot hold 15 feet above your last piece of protection there can be little doubt that you will stick to the rock and continue moving upward. Doubt causes fear and fear can release a flood of other unwanted emotions that can result in failure when failure is not an option. Preform at this level repeatedly, learn to dig deep down into power and it can be a real eye opener as to what you might really be made of. This is perhaps what keeps people climbing. Continuing to learn and push the edges of that they thought was possible. I see it almost everyday I guide. Take someone who has never been in the vertical world, tie a rope on them, teach them the basics, get them to trust you, themselves, and the equipment, and it isn't long before they have gone somewhere they never even imagined possible. Now that is a vacation experience they will not soon forget.

Today, that with a clam head and a few long sections of climbing above little or no protection and a wicked fall for motivation, we were challanged to hold on tight and move delicately up the rock and enjoyed a wonderful summit view. Looking down on the city of Custer, and the Black Hills National Forest below, we were quite pleased at our accomplishment. Perhaps that feeling of happiness and accomplishment is enough...I mean it must be, because we are excited about doing it again sometime...after we forget how scary it was. Like I tell many of our guest. "That little voice in your head telling you this is crazy is what keeps you alive, but sometimes you have to learn to turn down the volume on that voice and break into unknown territory of what is possible."