The Tower

[EOSThree]

You know the one. Moorcroft, WY.

[Frog]

Nice composition with just part of the tower and being able to captrue the moon.
I always say that some landscapes work better smaller than bigger.
Nice shot!

[jetrim]

Nice composition. The "flat" coloring of the trees really makes the tower "pop".

[shootme]

Great composition and color. S

[xystren]

Ahhh, what can I say. A picture of one of my favorite places in the world. Looks like the west face of the tower if memory serves me correctly.

It's been far too long since I've been there. Seeing this make me want to head out there right now.

Thanks for sharing.

[Canuck935]

I want to climb it, though it looks like it may be too fragile.

[xystren]

I want to climb it, though it looks like it may be too fragile.

Not too fragile, but as always, need to be careful.

There is some absolutely fantastic climbing at Devils Tower. I've gone there 4 time in the last 8 years or so for that specific purpose. Some of the finest crack climbing you will find. There's well over 220 named routes, and I know the guide that I go with, within the last year had established at least 4 new ones. He had property right off the monument property. You look off his deck and you have the tower right there. I've summited six or seven times now, though it's been about 4 years now since I was last there. Going back to university tends to do that unfortunately.

Depending on the climbing you want to do, there are a only few face climbing, lots of crack climbing (jam, off-widths and stem boxes) and many aid climbing routes (some pioneered by Royal Robbins in the '70s and since never been repeated). Difficulties range from class 1 through 4 scrambling, from 5.0 through 5.12 free climbing, and A1-A4 for aid routes. Everything tends to be Grade I or day climbing (no camping permitted on the summit.)

As I've said, probably one of my most favorite places on earth. It's purely magical.

[xystren]

Geez, I got so excited about seeing the tower and I forgot to give a critique Fair warning given, I'm biased, I absolutely love this place.

I love the color, I love how you caught the moon with it. I love the detail it shows. I like the trees in the foreground and how the contrast with the tower.

But if I had to nitpick, I really feel the size of the of the tower is lost by comparison with the trees. I'm not sure how one could really correct that, as it's a perspective shot. And last comment is truly a nitpick, only because I am fairly familiar with the place.

I don't want to hijack the thread, but so others have an idea what I'm talking about when I say the perspective is lost, I'll attach a animated GIF of myself on the top of 4th pitch (Flake Crack) of the Durrance route, two thirds of the way up.



Regardless, I don't think there can be a photo of the tower that I don't like. Thanks again for sharing.

[Canuck935]

Thanks for the info xystren! Looks like a blast! :thumbsup: I've done a lot more face climbing, but mostly because I lack the pro needed for crack climbing. Maybe someday..

Sorry EOSThree for getting off topic.. Your image has inspired PR's resident climbers!