I highly recommend Sylvan Rocks Climbing. They had a climbing trip that was the right length and skill level for me. Doug, my guide, is awesome! He observed me, saw where I could use some improvement (foot placement), and took me to a slab to practice. We then submitted one of the pinnacles! An AWESOME accomplishment!! I am a much better climber after a day with Doug!
I did an 8 hr climbing day with Shankar and it was wonderful! We talked before-hand about my skill level and what I was hoping for on our climbing day. Shankar picked out some fun multi-pitch climbs for me at the Cathedral Spires. I have some years experience in rock climbing so I wasn't looking for an instructional day. Shankar started me right out on a classic climb up one spire and then we climbed 2 other spires that day. We climbed one spire twice when I expressed an interest in a more challenging route right next to the classic route we climbed first. I'd climb with Shankar and Sylvan Rocks again any day.
Great. Fabulous. Epic. Fantastic. All the best adjectives to describe the experience we had! Co-owner Jeff, Chris S and Shankar made our first climbing adventure the best it could have been! All 9 of us, ranging in age from 7-45, were total rock climbing newbs but we never felt like it! The whole crew at Sylvan Rocks set about to ensure that we all felt secure and ready to rock. We did the 6HR group climb at Custer State Park/Sylvan Lake. After ample time to practice, we split into 3 groups by ability and hit the big ones (not that the "little" ones were any joke though 😅 🙃) Rock climbing was never, ever on any bucket list of mine but I positively can tell you, each and every one of us will be back! Definitely a highlight of our Black Hills trip!!!! Thanks again from our whole crew!! August 2021.
