Threading The Needles of South Dakota and Storming Devils Tower of Wyoming

Abstract

For some time now it has only been a dream of mine to travel across the country to climb the classics and the natural wonders of America. For this expedition, that could rightfully be called an American safari, my team will travel to both South Dakota and Wyoming to ascend the Needles and Devils Tower. Devils Tower, Wyoming boasts some of the most exhilarating crack climbing east of the Mississippi on a spiritually eccentric formation; while The Needles of South Dakota contain some of Americaâ s most sustained knob pulling lines on eccentric spires. Though geologists claim that these two formations were created by the same geological phenomenon, the techniques involved with climbing them could not be at further ends of the spectrum. For this expedition I intend to climb for two straight weeks, one week dedicated to each area (travel time included in figure). We will attempt to climb three to six pitches per day at a grade of 5.8-5.11 depending on physical health, weather conditions, and personal aptitude. The team shall consist of my climbing partner Forrest Kingsley, another Plattsburgh State student and avid climber, and me as leader. Even though I have only proposed a two week expedition to two areas, our trip will continue on further west once we have accomplished the goals outlined above and within this proposal.