Devils Tower, Wyoming

We took a day's outing today from Rapid City into Wyoming to the Devils Tower (there is no apostrophe :). It is perhaps the most dramatic single geological formation I have ever experienced, visible for many miles around. It was designated the United States' first National Monument in 1906, but long before that it had been deeply revered and venerated by the native people of the region.

If you view it large you may be able to to see two climbers clost together on a small ledge about one-third down from the top and one-quarter in from the right; the other member of their three-man team is directly above them in a crevice (a bit less visible). Walking the path around the Tower we saw about ten other climbers. It was first climbed in July 1893, and since records have been kept, over 220 routes to the top have been used; ca. 5,000 climbers come every year to try it. A wooden ladder fixed to the face (on the other side) and used for climbs in early years is still partly visible.