Jimmie Dunn is a climbing legend in his own right, notable for his many pioneering and cutting edge ascents in the Utah desert, Colorado, and Yosemite. Jimmie’s climbing day will be an all around legendary experience….
Jimmie, with Earl Wiggins, made the first free ascent of the Cruise in the Black Canyon, which Layton Kor established with Larry Dalke in 1964. When Jimmie and Earl went to take on the free ascent of this Grade V route, they brought a sandwich, a quart of water and a rain jacket each. Jimmie later free soloed the route.
The route starts by scrambling down the Cruise Gully into the bottom of the Black Canyon. The Cruise is 1700′ long, the final 1500 of which are dead vertical, usually done in around a dozen pitches–rates Grade V. Some highlights: 2-3 pitches of ultra-sustained, varied, but perfect 5.10 cracks in a row; 3 extremely exposed traverves on the upper half of the route, one of which is 5.10-; a crux pitch which includes an exciting traverse, a strenuous overhanging corner, perfect hands, and a squeeze chimney to top it off! The final highlight is when you reach the top, food, water and beer are only a 5 minute walk away…
Peak climbing season at the Black Canyon begins in mid-April and runs through the early part of June and then from mid-September through early November.
Donate to Layton Kor, and be put in a hat to win a climbing day with Jimmie. The more you donate, the better your luck! When you donate for a climbing day, you will also be put in the monthly hat to win a gear cache.
We appreciate your generous help to Layton Kor, and want to give back to you too! Everyone who participates in this effort will be eligible for a thank-you giveaway each month to receive packages of climbing and camping gear donated by friends of Layton Kor. We will then pass out the climbing days as the fundraiser goes on.
