Olton’s Shoulder
United States | The Black Hills of South Dakota | The Needles of Rushmore
SPORT
TRADITIONAL
This is the highest formation visible on the left hand side of the road
(west) as you pass by the profile view of Washington. This formation is part of
the origination of climbing in the Black Hills dating back to 1936 according to
Appalachian Mountain Club printings.
“Twin towers northwest of Mt. Rushmore” – “similar to, but higher and more
difficult than the Cathedral Spires.” This was a general description written by
Lawrence G. Coveney in Appalachia, volume XXL, Dec.1936, pgs. 269 -271.
Given the name because, on the first ascent, Fritz Wiessner stood on Percy
Olton’s shoulder to climb the route, a standard and acceptable approach to free
climbing at the time.
- < 5.9
- 10a - 10d
- 11a - 11d
- 12a - 12d
- 13a >
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Table Tipped
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Liaison
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Olton’s Shoulder (O.S.)