A giant bear clawed these grooves into the rock. At least, that’s what the legends say.
Devils Tower looks like something that doesn’t belong on Earth. And two climbers spent several days proving that you can actually climb it.
Noah Kane and Ethan Heinrichs set out to climb El Matador, a difficult 5.10d route that makes them place their feet against two huge stone columns for 120 feet. It’s the same route that Catherine Destivelle famously free soloed in 1992. This time, Noah and Ethan have ropes. There is also plenty of swearing along the way.
The second pitch almost breaks them. Their calves are screaming, their hands can barely find secure jams, and one piece of protection catches a hard fall on a “tipped out” placement that really shouldn’t have held. Somehow, it does. They keep climbing.
As they climb, the video also explains what makes this rock formation so unusual. Devils Tower formed from molten rock that cooled deep underground millions of years ago. Its first ascent happened in 1893, when two ranchers climbed it using a wooden ladder they built by hand. Later, Steven Spielberg turned the formation into an alien landing site in Close Encounters of the Third Kind.
The video also doesn’t ignore the tension surrounding the tower. To the Lakota and other Native American tribes, this place is known as Bear’s Lodge and is considered sacred. To climbers, it is an incredible climbing destination with dream routes. The video honestly acknowledges that conflict and explains why most climbers respect the voluntary climbing ban observed every June.
By the time Noah and Ethan reach the top, they are sunburned and dehydrated. But there is no alien spaceship waiting for them. There is only a simple metal sign and an incredible view from the top.
The next morning, with almost no sleep, they head back up for a second route before the sun has even fully risen.
Watch the full climb here:
