10_17 to 21_2013 Quinn and Dave in the Desert; Part I Sister Superior

Back in October, Quinn and Dave took a five day trip to the desert to climb some towers and some cracks and get out of cube-land... The first stop was Sister Superior in Castle Valley Utah. This is a very cool four-pitch tower climb with a fantastic summit that is both small and independent affording great views of the surrounding desert.

Here we are at the trail head for Sister Superior. It's about an hour and a half fairly stout hike to the base of the tower. This is one of my favorite desert tower climbs. Quinn and I first did this climb together in 1988 and he had not repeated it since then. For this trip, they took Quinn's pop-up. They are really excellent and versatile rigs.

You can see Sister Superior and other towers in the background...the hike begins.

Here is Dave preparing at the base.

Here Quinn heads up the first pitch which traverses over to the squeeze chimney behind the pillar to the right of the photo.

A bit later, Dave grabs a photo of Quinn heading up pitch 3 which is the crux of the climb. The hard part is out of sight below Quinn.

Here is Dave leading up the next pitch.This is a very cool crack pitch with excellent exposure and position.

This is a photo of me leading the same section of the climb 25 years ago. Somethings change...somethings don't. Note the stylish leggings and greater hair coverage in the older photo!

At the top - a nice view with the LaSalle Mountains and Castleton Tower in the background.

The standard victory photo!

Quinn finishing the coil job on the rope at the bottom of the rappels. Quite the scenic spot.

Quinn looking back up at Sister Superior on the hike out to the truck. What an amazing place.

We found a really nice camp spot on some slick rock south of Moab, Utah on the way to Indian Creek.  Really nice view!