Bouldering, in Sitka?

Okay, maybe I lied. Bouldering assumes that there may be more than one boulder problem, and in this case, there MAY be, but I only cleaned one problem, and it aint that great.



I saw this giant boulder laying just off the road a month ago and checked it out only to find treacherous landings and brittle rock. The one problem that I cleaned and climbed has a flat landing which is actually the top of another boulder. The problem itself is only about half the boulder, the other half lies underneath a landslide of rocks and dirt. After brushing and prying off loose holds it actually cleaned up somewhat nicely, and climbs a line of incuts to a good top out. Starting on a low flat hold you cross up to a good crimp, than lock off to a slanted finger rail, than more good crimps to the top. Quite fun, and the boulder appears to have more problems, but they are all in need of some tender lovin care, not to mention they all have death landings and I am sans crashpad.




The rock is some type of weird shale, very smooth and sharp in some places, but has interesting coloration.



Here is a picture of the Whale Wall. Looks slabby, but its really not. STanding at the base and looking up at it you can start to feel how overhung it really is, nothing crazy, but it definitely gives a good pump. I'm almost finished cleaning the entire wall and there are now at least 6 independent lines up it, a couple of sweet little projects that I am working on.