Probably my all-time favorite climbs in the Black Hills is Spire 4. It's the tallest spire in the Cathedral Spires group. I suggest you use John Page's guide book to find the gully between spire 3 & 4. In '97 I made mince-meat out of my hands when I slipped down-climbing a steep section of the gully. So in '98 we belayed the group through so no one would get knocked out of the Teton trip to follow. Once at the saddle between Spire 3 and 4 you'll see this alcove off to your right. We elect to do the worm-hole just for kicks - reminds me of caving. Kyle gets through easily at 120 lbs. Anyone bigger will almost certainly need to remove all their gear to squeeze through. Once above the worm hole it's an easy scramble to the top. The last major obstacle is an intimidating step-across to the summit block. This picture shows Pat Treloar mustering up the nerve. We have christened this the "Treloar Step". I've read where this is a 5.4 climb with a 5.12 committment due to the step. While he was doing that, lightening was hitting very close by and tightening everyone's sphincter cords. Due to our need for a hasty retreat, this is the only summit photo. Harney's Peak is in the background. As soon as we landed it began to hail.

Mike Moore enduring the ants. During '99's climb we were swarmmed Immediately upon summitting by flying ants ...they were everywhere, in every orifice, hair, eyes - a true case of ants-in-the-pants. I don't know if bumble bees eat ants but they were everywhere also. The bees liked the rope color because with each haul on the rope there was a bee in your hand. It was a true test of will...at least once the thought of diving over the edge like Stallone in "Cliff Hanger" entered my head.