Trip Report
Approaching a Dragon's Lair (9-2009)
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Wednesday August 5, 2009 2:50pm
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Word has it they are out there, lurking in darkest corners of the wilderness...the places too far out for most to travel...though it's possible to journey there, and that's what we set out to do...
After hours on a crap dirt road we finally got on the trail...the time was 10pm, and we set off in the dark...the next morning we arose and powered out many trail miles...we arrived at some lakes, and took a brief reprieve...
We consulted maps and headed off...an unmaintained trail was supposed to take us a few more miles and 4 or 5 lakes deeper...this wasn't exactly the case..and eventually we were 2+ hours off trail and at our base camp...
Even from the base camp, I could see the smoke plumes....the next morning we set off, entering into a rarely traveled region...heading upward though brush, marsh, down trees, short scrambles, creek crossings, and boulder hops...
eventually(hours later) the lair and the path to it became more clear...
Soon we were face to face with the beast...
We gazed as long as one would want to look into the sun...a formidable creature to be sure...more powerful than I imagined, and actually in existence...Just as Hercules needed Iolaus, I knew it would take more support to go father. We said our goodbyes at the mouth of the cave and headed out...to return another day.
The wilds did not want us to leave so easily...and we ended up wandering for twice as long on the way out...going much farther than we realized or needed.
thoroughly off trail and off track...
though we got a nice view out of it...
Eventually we found our way back...and headed back towards the trail the following day...
They are out there my fellow adventurers, this is certain...and we shall return.
Raising the mead high...cheers!
Tom
TKingsbury
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About the Author
TKingsbury is a trad climber from MT. |
Comments
Studly
Trad climber
WA
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I spy a couple of direct sweet looking lines to the summit.
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Captain...or Skully
climber
Boise, ID
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That's a SWEET lookin' spot, Tom.
I feel you'll return to engage the beast in combat, no?
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Russ Walling
Social climber
from Poofters Froth, Wyoming
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Grade VI approach!!!!111666
My kind of stuff! (giant lie)
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survival
Big Wall climber
Terrapin Station
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Aye laddies!
Ye've been to her lair, and ye know she jealously guards her young!
Ye best have some sharp blades when ye return.
I'll be lookin' fer paintings of ye standing atop her stinking carcass!!
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TKingsbury
Trad climber
MT
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Author's Reply
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Aug 5, 2009 - 03:09pm PT
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We will return for battle...that is for sure
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Jaybro
Social climber
Wolf City, Wyoming
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Pulling the Dragons's tail, the stuff of life!
"I'm from L.A. I've never been this far from a car," said young Russell Walling, on the trail to the Labyrinth, Superstiton, Az, 3/8th of a mile from the parking lot, circa 1987...
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Tarbuster
climber
right here, right now
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Puff, the magic dragon lived by the sea
And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called honah lee,
Little jackie paper loved that rascal puff,
And brought him strings and sealing wax and other fancy stuff. oh
Puff, the magic dragon lived by the sea
And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called honah lee,
Puff, the magic dragon lived by the sea
And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called honah lee.
Together they would travel on a boat with billowed sail
Jackie kept a lookout perched on puffs gigantic tail,
Noble kings and princes would bow wheneer they came,
Pirate ships would lower their flag when puff roared out his name. oh!
Puff, the magic dragon lived by the sea
And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called honah lee,
Puff, the magic dragon lived by the sea
And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called honah lee.
A dragon lives forever but not so little boys
Painted wings and giant rings make way for other toys.
One grey night it happened, jackie paper came no more
And puff that mighty dragon, he ceased his fearless roar.
His head was bent in sorrow, green scales fell like rain,
Puff no longer went to play along the cherry lane.
Without his life-long friend, puff could not be brave,
So puff that mighty dragon sadly slipped into his cave. oh!
Puff, the magic dragon lived by the sea
And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called honah lee,
Puff, the magic dragon lived by the sea
And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called honah lee.
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Mungeclimber
Trad climber
Nothing creative to say
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How do you catch a unique Dragon?
Unique up on him.
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John Moosie
climber
Beautiful California
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Holy crap man. That is some beee uuuuuu tiful country.
Sure sign of monsters though. Does the map say..."Here thar be monsters" ?
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mojede
Trad climber
Butte, America
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I'll start talking to a few horse-packing buddies to round us up some ponies to ride when the knights return for the conquest. There are these two ladies, sisters actually, that have been in there before, but now they live up North in a cabin located at the base of this cool cirque. They know the climbing beta for the Dragon.
Great pics of a fine plateau with beautiful lakes--thanks for doing the leg work.
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TKingsbury
Trad climber
MT
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Author's Reply
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Aug 5, 2009 - 04:18pm PT
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Does the map say..."Here thar be monsters" ?
LOL! How did you know!?!
Only 3 of these pics could be considered to be on a plateau...the journey only begins there...
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kev
climber
A pile of dirt.
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Bump!
When are you guys gonna take it on?
kev
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mucci
Trad climber
The pitch of Bagalaar above you
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Good show out there T! Just got around to reading the whole thing.
Way to go on the hump a lump.....FARRRR
Cheers,
Mucci
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survival
Big Wall climber
Terrapin Station
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Whoa...I HAVE been here already!
You had me worried there TK!
This is waaay better than any old invisible spammer thread anyway.
When do you plan to go back TK??
I want pix of you struggling with the dragons teeth!!!
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survival
Big Wall climber
Terrapin Station
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Believe me bro, I know what it feels like to have a hard fought thread get no traction!!
I'd much rather see your stuff.
I'm an approach master myself!
BITD, when the Oregon Bong Team (largo gave us the name)was taking on the big stones in the YO, we walked faaar to all the waaay out there stuff. We were monikered the Approach Masters!
(Also a largo given handle)
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TKingsbury
Trad climber
MT
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Author's Reply
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Aug 5, 2009 - 06:58pm PT
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hahah!
Thanks y'all!
"When" is the big question...and hasn't been answered yet..there's a seemingly pretty short window out there though...maybe this season, but it might be nice to get some funds/time together for an extended trip with some horse packers...
EDIT: LOL!! Approach masters!!
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kev
climber
A pile of dirt.
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Haha,
A friend of mine did that in Wind Rivers just to pack in enough beer!
kev
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Chiloe
Trad climber
Lee, NH
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That wall looks sort of ominous to me. Sort of medieval too.
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Captain...or Skully
climber
Boise, ID
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Maybe call in a professional, like St. George?
I dunno.
I think you've got what it takes to take it on.
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Zander
climber
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That is some beautiful country but i don't see no dragons. That is unless they be wearing a baseball cap.
Z
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goatboy smellz
climber
Gulf Breeze
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What kinda rock is that anyway?
Looks similar to the precambrian chossy gneiss of the Indian Peak’s…frightening.
casual approach
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Jaybro
Social climber
Wolf City, Wyoming
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I'm guessing igneous Intrusions sandwiched in the overthrust.
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mojede
Trad climber
Butte, America
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It's 3.5+ billion year old Basement rock--very old granite, I believe.
edit: NOT granite--much older and harder Quarzofeldspathic gneiss. Archean basement complex.
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hooblie
climber
from out where the anecdotes roam
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get the loads off your back, save your knees for skiing. you guys need some packin stock. those equine hesitate, the llamas don't fit your image. raise you up some mutant size goats. you won't need as many beasts once the dragon has been dispatched. investigate the culinary arts of the middle east. aquire exotic spices. bring sharp knives. fashion a spit. stay another week. suspend the meat from a float in the lake. are you guys buccaneers or not?... grizzlies don't swim do they?
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TKingsbury
Trad climber
MT
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Author's Reply
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Aug 6, 2009 - 02:08pm PT
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LOL!
I was actually reading about goat packing recently...sounds like a good way to go about things.
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goatboy smellz
climber
Gulf Breeze
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I'm gonna chopper in and rap bolt it...it's Montana no one will care.
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mojede
Trad climber
Butte, America
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Goat, aside from breaking a few Federal laws for your proposal, I'd be happy to climb the route after you've done all the work on it:-)
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TKingsbury
Trad climber
MT
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Author's Reply
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Aug 6, 2009 - 02:15pm PT
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didn't you read above Goat?
You're carrying all our sh#t in!
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bluering
Trad climber
Santa Clara, CA
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That looks like a project or 2 back in there.
Definately chopper in though, f*#k I hate hiking in....
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goatboy smellz
climber
Gulf Breeze
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Damnit, I'm so screwed.
Llamas sound better plus they provide warmth when snuggling at night.
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mojede
Trad climber
Butte, America
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Air drops and animal-aid are all that's legal. Finding a pilot who'd land the ship in pirate fashion could be the crux for your desires, Blue:-)
edit: I s'pose technically that you could rap from the chopper if you had a long enough line (say 500+').
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klk
Trad climber
cali
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you know, if you put a beef or two at the end of the pack train, you could have fresh steaks in basecamp.
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mike m
Trad climber
black hills
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Jul 30, 2010 - 01:59pm PT
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Nice Tom there are a few walls in those parts ehh. Kind looks a little like Hallets in RMNP.
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survival
Big Wall climber
Terrapin Station
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Jul 30, 2010 - 02:16pm PT
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When is the battle going to resume?
Yer gonna run out of season up there in them high lattitudes!
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TKingsbury
Trad climber
MT
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Author's Reply
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Jul 30, 2010 - 02:20pm PT
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Soon I hope, thinking mid august, but it's hard to say for sure currently...
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xtrmecat
Big Wall climber
Kalispell, Montanagonia
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I don't know how I missed this the first time. Hmmm, good looking spot fer doing battle, keep a stocking cap and good bag close by. Nice Tom.
Bob
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TKingsbury
Trad climber
MT
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Author's Reply
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Aug 3, 2010 - 05:17pm PT
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Thanks Bob!
That's a funny link mike, but it sure does look pretty fun!
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goatboy smellz
climber
Gulf Breeze
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Did you guys ever get back up there?
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TKingsbury
Trad climber
MT
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Author's Reply
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Oct 5, 2010 - 05:30pm PT
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Not yet Goat...so much rock and not enough time, it was also hard to find the right window this season. Still on the radar though.
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hooblie
climber
from out where the anecdotes roam
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picking plums on your own damn terms. aaahhh montana/wyoming/idaho and beyond
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graniteclimber
Trad climber
The Illuminati -- S.P.E.C.T.R.E. Division
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Nov 15, 2010 - 09:47pm PT
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Thanks!
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survival
Big Wall climber
Terrapin Station
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Kingsbury ANTI-LEB Bump!!
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TKingsbury
Trad climber
MT
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Author's Reply
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Feb 2, 2011 - 04:05pm PT
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funny this popped back up...we were chatting about this area the other day...logistics for a future mission...hopefully it'll pan out, would be fun to head back up there.
Cheers!
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Dirka
Trad climber
Hustle City
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Sweet thread, thanks for posting!
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Fritz
Social climber
Choss Creek, ID
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Heidi's father grew up on a farm in far west North Dakota.
He always has believed that Montana and North Dakota are some of the best "Next Year" country he's ever seen.
Short summer windows of opportunity, but lots of daylight.
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Doug Robinson
Trad climber
Santa Cruz
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Love the approach...and the climb looks good too!
Fun at first trying to guess even what state you were in.
Wishing you a clear window this year, mates!
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TKingsbury
Trad climber
MT
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Author's Reply
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Feb 6, 2011 - 09:38pm PT
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Thanks ya'll!
Hopefully 'next year' is 'this year'...
Cheers!
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mojede
Trad climber
Butte, America
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Aug 12, 2013 - 09:47pm PT
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The Kingsbury brothers and a couple of other hiking masochists left this morning to walk in and tackle the beast. Their window of time isn't huge, so hopefully Mother Nature and the stone will co-operate for success on the wall.
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Brandon-
climber
The Granite State.
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Aug 27, 2013 - 11:20pm PT
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Rad!
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Brandon-
climber
The Granite State.
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Aug 28, 2013 - 01:34pm PT
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Bump for climbing content.
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Darwin
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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Aug 28, 2013 - 03:33pm PT
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What brandon said: bad assed climbing content! Are you going to tell us more about the climbing at some point?
So no goats, mules, llamas or horses to help you out? Ah, youth.
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ydpl8s
Trad climber
Santa Monica, California
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Aug 28, 2013 - 03:45pm PT
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My thoughts exactly, tease with pic of the line up that beast and then a bunch of bouldering pics....hopefully writing it up.
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neebee
Social climber
calif/texas
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Aug 28, 2013 - 07:13pm PT
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hey there say, TKingsbury... wow, i missed this, really nice...
say, can't see all the pics, yet, though...
but enjoyed the read... :)
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