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# Sneaking to Squaretop
- URL: https://blog.novaugust.net/sneaking-to-squaretop/
- Published: 2017-07-18T05:13:31.000Z
- Updated: 2017-08-08T19:25:10.000Z
- Author: Matt Enlow
- Tags: Lander, @ajdexter, post, Climbing, @lavegaa, Wyoming, squaretop, sinks canyon, #Import 2026-06-21 14:43

The day before the International Climber's Festival kicked off I got three pitches in on the stone that, every time I take someone to it for the first time, I point to as the rock with my first-ever "project". Viv and new friend [AJ](http://ajdexter.com/?ref=blog.novaugust.net) were the accomplices.

As AJ walked under Viv fighting through the top of the 11d, he remarked: "That looks burly." I looked at him, aghast, for a moment. *What a terrible pun*.

[![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/9b/95/9b955960-2312-4b04-8b46-7e66317cd0ed/content/images/2017/08/20170711_ajdexter_0002-1.jpg)](http://ajdexter.com/?ref=blog.novaugust.net)  
*[Photo © AJ Dexter](http://ajdexter.com/?ref=blog.novaugust.net)*

But as it turned out, he had no idea that the route *was actually named* **Burly**. Brother was just speaking the truth. In which case, what a great route name.

---

Now the festival is one day over and Viv and I got in another quick-hit. We were nearly to Fremont Street when I asked her if she had a rope. She did not.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/9b/95/9b955960-2312-4b04-8b46-7e66317cd0ed/content/images/2017/07/DSC00133.jpg)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/9b/95/9b955960-2312-4b04-8b46-7e66317cd0ed/content/images/2017/07/DSC00139.jpg)

Even turning around, we ended with enough time to get in four pitches before encroaching darkness sent us home.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/9b/95/9b955960-2312-4b04-8b46-7e66317cd0ed/content/images/2017/07/DSC00143.jpg)

Belaying Viv up her warmup with my rope, I realized I was at fault for not having the rope, but I never admitted so to her.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/9b/95/9b955960-2312-4b04-8b46-7e66317cd0ed/content/images/2017/07/DSC00145.jpg)

When Viv was on her third pitch, Moab, her and Dave's dog, took off after a young buck. The old man's still got it in him.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/9b/95/9b955960-2312-4b04-8b46-7e66317cd0ed/content/images/2017/07/DSC00158.jpg)