Since my return from K2, Broad Peak and the Latok II rescue attempt I have been very fortunate to get out and rock climb a bit in Boulder Canyon but my numb toes - nerve damage from pounding from using the wrong size boots - prevented me from really enjoying it. The feeling is starting to come back, fortunately in time for a trip with the 10 people that won the AAO Dealer Employee Incentive Promotion - see www.goaao.com for details - to the Black Hills of South Dakota for a week of trail running, mountain biking, hiking, rock climbing and being a tourist and partying - all on AAO's dime!
We had an awesome time and I managed to spend alot of time rock climbing in The Needles and at Devil's Tower, went to Mount Rushmore to see the evening lighting ceremony, Wind Cave National Monument and got to relax with a very fun bunch of employees from various shops in the midwest. Oh Yeah, we stayed at Normarke Farm B&B, which is amazing!
Robert, from Midwest Mountaineering, enjoying the crystal pulling in the Needles.
Jon, AAO Rep, with Devil's Tower's shadow behind him from the summit.
The Summit registry from Devil's Tower.
Neil, Jon and Jake on the Summit of Devil's Tower after climbing the Durrance Route.
Devil's Tower at sunset.
Another one of me, at the belay ontop of pitch 2, Durrance Route, Devil's Tower.
Mount Rushmore, lit up at night.
