esugi Posted February 2, 2009 Share Posted February 2, 2009 Trip: Southfork of Shoshone River (Cody, WY) - Stringer/High on Boulder Date: 1/30/2009 Trip Report: Second trip to Cody this year. This time, I had specific climbs in mind that I wanted to finish and do. For one, I only climbed the first pitch (WI3) of Stringer last time. This time, I wanted to check out what's beyond the first pitch. The second pitch was nothing more then tiered WI2. Then, I coaxed Lukic into slogging another 20-30 min (?) in sometimes deep snow to the last pitch (WI3). Good warm-up day. Stringer Lukic looking solid on P1 Slogging up to P3 Me having fun on P3 Rapping off this mother... These guys did not want to move for nothing....so we did Next day, we were eyeing the uber classic High on Boulder (WI4). HOB is on left...the right hand fork is called Moonrise (140m, WI5). The left hand variation at the top of second pitch is called Save It For Later (50m, WI3+) Next objective...maybe next year. The lower pitch and upper pitches of Mean Green (Winter Dance book calls it one of the top ten routes in N. America). Getting an early start, we were the first ones to the base of High On Boulder. Crossing the river turned out to be pretty easy as we found areas of solid ice...but just in case, I was prepared with flip-flops (and Lukic with his tenni's). An hour and 15 min later, we were saddling up for the climb. The main flow is climbed in three pitches. Lukic led the first 50m of WI3, which meant that I would be tackling the 2nd WI4 pitch. At the top of 3rd pitch, we contemplated for a bit whether to hike another 1/4 mile for the last 20m curtain (WI3+). What the hell, we are up here already and have tons of daylight...so I start off with an another slog fest. Lukic confidently lead the last pitch and we called it a day. Lukic P1 Me approaching the headwall of P2 My arms tired...my calves are aching!! After topping out of the main flow, I semi-relax and take in the beautiful scenery across the valley. Almost to the fourth pitch...I can do it, I can do it... Lukic on P4 If we were actually good climbers, we would have climbed the last pitch. The Pillar of Pain (WI5) was technically a part of the first ascent but it is seldon climbed today...therefore considered a separate climb all together. This place is awesome!! Man, what a fantastic trip. We were originally planning to climb 3 days but since we climbed our asses off in two days, we elected to catch a earlier flight back to Seattle and catch some of the Superbowl game....actually, I need to do more pull-ups and squats...I was pretty much wasted after 2 days!! Approach Notes: lots of snow this year! But finally, the avy danger seems to have subsided. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lukic Posted February 2, 2009 Share Posted February 2, 2009 A very understated and humble trip report by a very fun climbing partner. I'm very new to ice, but the second pitch of High on Boulder was a very stout lead that was difficult to follow by a chump like me. I definately appreciate how Eiji left out the 5 minutes of hang time I took on the last pitch and replaced it with: "confidently led." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taluscat Posted February 2, 2009 Share Posted February 2, 2009 nice trip and photos way to get after it looks like good climbing.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZimZam Posted February 2, 2009 Share Posted February 2, 2009 Yeah mon. Dat look mighty nice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Frieh Posted February 2, 2009 Share Posted February 2, 2009 Great work guys! Awesome to see a Cody TR! Pretty awesome place huh? :rawk: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
powderhound Posted February 2, 2009 Share Posted February 2, 2009 That Pillar of Pain is one of the best steep routes I have ever been on, can't believe you hiked all the way up to it. Nice TR, Cody is a special place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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