Become a Member

Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more.

Already have an account? Sign In

Become a Member

Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more.

Already have an account? Sign In

Brands

News

Five New Mixed Routes in Pilot Creek, Wyoming

Aaron Mulkey, Josh Wagner and Laura Chmielewski have established five routes in Pilot Creek, Wyoming, putting an unknown limestone cave on the map as a mixed climbing destination.

Lock Icon

Unlock this article and more benefits with 40% off.

Already have an Outside Account? Sign in

Outside+ Logo

40% Off Outside+.
$4.99/month $2.99/month*

Get the one subscription to fuel all your adventures.


  • Map your next adventure with our premium GPS apps: Gaia GPS Premium and Trailforks Pro.
  • Read unlimited digital content from 15+ brands, including Outside Magazine, Triathlete, Ski, Trail Runner, and VeloNews.
  • Watch 600+ hours of endurance challenges, cycling and skiing action, and travel documentaries.
  • Learn from the pros with expert-led online courses.
Join Outside+

*Outside memberships are billed annually. Print subscriptions available to U.S. residents only. You may cancel your membership at anytime, but no refunds will be issued for payments already made. Upon cancellation, you will have access to your membership through the end of your paid year. More Details

Climber on the upper ice of <em>Superfly</em>, Pilot Creek. Wyoming. Photo: Tanner Callender.” title=”Climber on the upper ice of <em>Superfly</em>, Pilot Creek. Wyoming. Photo: Tanner Callender.”>    <strong>Aaron Mulkey, Josh Wagner and Laura</strong> <strong> Chmielewski</strong> have established<br />
    five routes in Pilot Creek, Wyoming, putting an unknown limestone cave on the map as a mixed climbing destination. </p>
<p>The 45-meter high cliff band, near Cooke City, Montana, has less than a mile approach, decent rock quality and a longer-than-average ice season. The crag<br />
    features a cave with a massive free-hanging ice pillar as its centerpiece. “It touches down every ten years or so, I hear,” Mulkey tells <em>Rock and Ice</em>.<br />
    “It’s getting close this year.”</p>
<p>In the cave, the routes begin on overhanging rock before entering and finishing on the free-hanging ice above. The rock sections are fully bolted, and<br />
    not “hardman-style,” Mulkey says. “We want people to come out and try them.”</p>
<p>This season, the three climbers cleaned, bolted and sent four new mixed routes and made the first ascent of a pure ice climb <em>Trophy Wife</em>, adding<br />
    to the area’s two existing climbs. And there’s potential for more.</p>
<p>“Josh and Laura’s stoke have really helped me push this season out much longer than normal,” Mulkey says. “They make it hard not to be excited about new<br />
    routing.”</p>
</p>
<p><img src=Aaron Mulkey’s website coldfear.com.