Category: Baraboo Favorites

Common Questions of Climbers

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Devil’s Lake: a geologic wonder

Devil’s Lake is an endorheic (closed drainage) lake in south section of the Baraboo range. The lake is 374 acres and is no more than 47 feet deep at any one place. The water quality is considered moderately clear and is home to many fish species including pan fish, large-mouth bass, northern pike, trout, and walleye.  On a typical day, you’ll find a number of people fishing along the shoreline.

Devil’s Lake is a deep chasm with no visible inlet or outlet. The name, is really a misinterpretation of the Ho Chunk tribal name “Tawacunchkdah”, which means “sacred” or “spirit” lake. Tawacunchkdah is significant in Ho Chunk tribal culture because spiritual voices are heard during celebrations.

Devil’s Lake was once a part of the Wisconsin River prior to the Ice Age, more than 10,000 years ago. A large lobe of the glacier passed the Baraboo Hills to the south and deposited a terminal moraine on the south end of the river. Another moraine terminated on the north end causing the river to divert. The left-over water formed Devil’s Lake.

For more history on the area, visit these sites:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devil%27s_Lake_(Wisconsin)

http://pages.uwc.edu/keith.montgomery/baraboo/baraboo.htm

Devil’s Lake Quadrathlon Challenge

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Railroad AmphitheatreLooking for your next DL Challenge?

Try out the Apex Adventure Alliance Devil’s Lake Quadrathlon Challenge. This challenge includes hiking/ running, swimming, climbing, and a bike ride. Here’s the down-low:

1. Hike/Run the Tumbled Rocks Trail to the “jumping rock.” This is located mid West Bluff.
2. Jump off and swim to the other side of the lake (the short length, east side). Warning: best if done with a boater by your side. No drowning please!
3. Climb three Railroad Routes – style and route selection are your choice!
4. Finish the Hike/ Run by taking the train tracks to the South Shore Beach.
5. Ride the loop around the lake – a strategy piece for time here is deciding which direction you want to take the loop. Your choice!

Get out there for some fun. Let us know how it goes!

Purple Quartzite of Devil’s Lake State Park

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Taking on "False Perspective" a tough one at Devil's Lake

Taking on “False Perspective” a tough one at Devil’s Lake

Also referred to as Baraboo Quartzite

When heading to a climbing location, we typically stop to take in a view or two. A common question we hear is “what type of rock is this?”  Typically, between the huffs and puffs of carrying a 40 pound bag up a steep stair master (don’t worry, your guide will do that), we give a brief but compelling tail of the rock.  Since there aren’t a lot of huffs, puffs, or grunts going on while sitting here at the computer, it gives us a moment to dig a little deeper. The rock, Purple Quartzite of Devil’s Lake State Park is pretty unique.

The metamorphic rock, has been rumored to only be found in three places in the world with Devil’s Lake being the most climbable.  Metamorphic rock means that it was altered from another type of rock by extreme conditions (heat, pressure, superman, etc) to become what we see currently.

Sometimes mistaken for red or pink, it is indeed, Purple.  Purple QuartziteOther colors found in the park can range from white to green.  Green is typically the lichen that forms on the rock.  There are several areas in the park that also are tan and more textured.  This is actually Sandstone.  So back to that metamorphic business… Quartzite was actually Sandstone at one point.  A long, long, long, lonnnnnnnnnnng time ago, the earth went through a lot of changes.  There was a whole lot of pressure and a whole lot of heat and a whole lot of time.  What came out of the oven was Quartzite.  There was likely more sandstone in the park at that tQuartzite with Sandstoneime, however much (or all) of it was underwater.  Sandstone is very soft compared to quartzite.  So the water washed away much of the sandstone but left the quartzite.

Next time you head to the park, try to find the patches or full climbing areas that are sandstone.  They differ greatly in texture, look, feel, and climbing from the Quartzite we all know and love.

Purchase The Gift of Adventure

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Looking for something unique this holiday season to give is a gift?Happy Holidays

Apex offers the gift of adventure through gift certificates.  Climbers can choose their own adventure during a time that pleases them.

Share an Adventure with us this holiday season by calling 608-434-3360.

Happy Holidays from Lynn and Jill and the rest of the Apex Crew!

 

A Day Out Climbing with Apex

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  • 10696338_10153375510403695_2782899309964598110_nBy Guest Blogger: Marcie Waters

This summer, my friend Marissa and I decided to try out rock climbing with an Open Group Climb with Apex. At first, it seemed we were doomed to bad luck, as it began raining as soon as we arrived to the parking lot meeting point at Devil’s Lake State Park. We met our guide for the day, Jill, who distributed gear and made sure it fit us correctly, and the rest of our group, who included a family of rock climbing enthusiasts. We sat in our cars for a bit, waiting the rain out, until we decided it was clear enough to go climbing.

We went on a short but steep hike up to the bluffs where Jill had laid out four climbing routes for us to try. On our way up, she explained some background info about the unique nature at Devil’s Lake. When we arrived at the bluffs, Jill made sure we had our gear on properly, taught us how to tie into the ropes, and explained how to belay. Then we were off!

The rock had dried out quickly and didn’t pose a problem for climbing. Marissa climbed first, and I belayed her; then we switched off. Climbing was much harder than I thought it would be, and I had not realized how much of climbing is mental. This challenge just made it even more fun and rewarding when I climbed higher and higher. The day was spent switching between different routes and between climbing and belaying. Belaying might not sound as fun as climbing, but I did enjoy watching Marissa climb, helping her find holds in the rocks that she couldn’t see from her vantage point, and cheering her on. With Jill providing helpful tips and encouragement the whole time, climbing was really a group activity.

We ended the day by following Jill up to the top of the bluffs to learn about how the ropes had been set up for the climb and how to take them down before heading down towards the parking lot. Marissa and I enjoyed our first climbing experience and can’t imagine a better place to have done it than at Devil’s Lake with Apex!11535909_10153455921741942_4761020965844571284_n

A DAY OUT CLIMBING WITH APEX