Cathedral Spires, East Face, Spire 2

The Black Hills have a mystical otherworldly quality. Where cellphones get no reception and the individual is submerged in the raw natural beauty all around. The one catch is, you must travel deeper in, past all the hordes of flocking roadside tourists.

It blows my mind wondering how such formations were ever made. But then, so does so many crazy natural rock formations. I blame water mostly, and lots of time.

We climbed the "East Face" route, of Spire 2, in the Cathedrals, technically classified as a 5.6 trad route. Most of the climb was 5.3 average with a couple crux moves that might bump the end of the pitch 1, and the middle of pitch three to a 5.6. Adventure climbing at it's best, with great exposure and excellent views. The wind picked up near the top which added an extra element of edginess.

Here's Hive account@velveteendream making the final move over the belay to summit the climb at 250 feet. Her first major big climb. So proud ma babe.

Sittin' summit side top of the climb. True summit was an exposed jump across a narrow rock ledge to another platform. I might have done that.

Rappelling down can be just as tricky and fun as going up. Safety first they say.

The feeling of solid ground is never more comforting after 4 hours of vertical travel.

Music by: Boards of Canada, "The Devil Is In The Details"