Book: Indian Creek Climbing Guide

Few things are as frustrating to a climber as a poorly done or outdated climbing guide (anybody remember the old Butte guide?). Southwest Montana climbers will be happy to know that local climbing pioneer Ron Brunkhorst has updated yet another guidebook. Indian Creek (Brunckhorst; $13), released this past November, outlines over 70 routes on this Helena-area roadside gem, complete with overview maps, decent photos of actual routes, and snippets of history for both the area and individual climbs. Like Hellgate Canyon in the Big Belts, Indian Creek is primarily sport-climbing, and most routes are advanced—this probably isn’t the best place to take your sweetie for a first climb. But a handful of easier routes, some trad options, and its close proximity to Townsend make Indian Creek Canyon a local favorite. Look for Indian Creek at Barrel Mountaineering and Northern Lights, or visit climbmontana.com.