Seth Giles demonstrating perspective on "Fossil of Mouse"

This Winter, St. George, Utah, and surrounding areas have been hot-spots in the climbing world. One particular area of focus has been The Tower. The name itself
insinuates it’s structure, but locals would agree that you must go there to understand it’s vastness and its beauty.

The Tower is a limestone gem nestled in a canyon on the Arizona Strip, just teasing the Utah border. It is estimated to be about 200 feet tall from its lowest visible base to its top, and has birthed routes using up to 160 feet of its length. It rests on an unconstrained slope strewn with fossils and barrel cacti. Its south facing side is the steepest, with a mostly vertical face to the east. These two walls are where the most classic (and the most challenging) routes reside. The most prominent line on this massive rectangular prism hugs the south-east facing arete. Fossil of Man, 5.13+, is the most distinct pathway to the top of the tower, and was also the very first route to be bolted here by Todd Perkins-one of the most influential route-developers in the area.

The Tower is home to 23 individual lines, with many links and variations between them. 50+ variations of these routes can be done practically and safely. Difficulty ranging anywhere from 5.6-5.14, there are a lot of options.  Choose your adventure!

Chad Perkins (left) attempts to overcome “The Overcomer”, 5.14a.  Chad waltzes up “Wind Blown Snake Dance”, 5.13- (right)

Tosha Carter attempts the "Fossil of Man/Mouse" boulder problem