October 2003
Rock Climbing
Bruce leads
Supercrack of the Desert,
Indian Creek, Utah
Each October we visit Indian Creek near Canyonlands in south eastern Utah to practice our crack climbing skills.

This was our third trip, and Bruce finally felt confident and ready to lead Supercrack.

On the left Bruce has climbed the base pillar and is ready to begin the 90-foot long upper crack.

Indian Creek is famous for enormous Wingate Sandstone walls with long and striking splitter cracks. And Supercrack is one of the most classic climbs.
Supercrack requires excellent technique and endurance. Good crack climbers learn to place their hands and feet into the crack just tight enough to be secure, and no more, which would waste extra energy.

The best climbers use careful hand placements to minimize painful skin abrasions on hands and arms, and delicate foot placements to avoid mangled feet. Novices can thrash feet and hands without even getting off the ground.

On the right Bruce is focusing on climbing smoothly through a little roof crux about 20 feet above the base pillar.
Climbers cup their hands, or make a fist, to jam and hold their hands in the perfectly smooth and parallel cracks.

Tass has smaller hands, which makes this climber harder for her. She likes thinner cracks that fit her hands and feet, which are much harder for Bruce.
On the right Bruce is almost to the top of the pitch, trying to stay relaxed and calm while gasping for air.

Despite his rapid pulse, he feels great the entire climb, under control and never sketchy or in danger of falling.

The next day Bruce leads 3 a.m. crack.
A small section of Newspaper Rock, a collection of prehistoric rock art covering a large wall at Indian Creek, near Canyonlands, Utah.
More Indian Creek climbing
and rock art photos.




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