Sawmill Creek Dome / Palisade Head - 8/15-16

I headed up Wednesday night to Sawmill Creek Dome with Nic Oklobzija and Dillon for some climbing. We made it up there around 11pm or so and since the temps felt good hiked right up to the boulders. We climbed until about 2 am before hiking back down to hit the tent. I tried the V7 Sticky Icky but only stuck the first move once. Dillon and Nic worked on Amateur.

The next morning we headed to Palisade Head to check out the boulders in the talus field at the base of the cliff. There are a lot of big boulders down there and we did find a fair number of lines to do. Nic got two likely first ascents. The first - he called it 'Prince of Palisade' - climbs out this cave type area using cool slopers and heel hooks before turning around an arete out onto a face to top out. Great, great line. Probably V8 or V9. After that he did an arete line -- called 'Hi Tide' (as in 'hello' as we had to time the start when the waves were low) -- that has a combination of fun moves on crimpers and a sloper that's partially over some water for added value. This was comes in around the V5/V6 range. I was fortunately able to repeat this line and it was really fun.

We were all totally exhausted after scrambling around on the talus all day and headed home Thursday night. We stopped at Fitgers in Duluth for a nice meal on the way home.

Hi Tide:


Prince of Palisade:



Random Water Shot:



Dillon trying The Amateur: