Cragies and Snackies

Idaho has some of the best climbing that the US has to offer.  City of Rocks in Southern Idaho is one of the most historical climbing destinations.  It’s home to otherworldly landscapes and vistas that have you questioning why you would ever leave.  Crack of Doom is known to be the first 5.11C in the US and is still one of the most highly rated routes in The City.  There are over 600 routes within this granite mecca, and if you are planning a trip to Idaho, it should probably be your first stop. 

If this series was simply called “Cragies” you’d have to buckle in for 1,000 words on history, beauty, and difficulty of climbing at City of Rocks, but this is Cragies and Snackies, and Boise offers too many culinary possibilities to pass up.  So, 3 hours north we go to the Black Cliffs just outside Boise, Idaho.

But first…George M. Willing.  I have no idea what the people of Idaho think of Willing.  I really have no idea what I think of Willing, but he’s something.  He was a physician from Philadelphia, who was ran out of town for performing abortions in the 1850’s.  He headed west during the Pike’s Peak Gold Rush and went on to become a “good geologist and fine gentleman”.  He spent time as a non-elected delegate for the Jefferson Territory and a lobbyist for the Pike’s Peak area.  He also seems to have been a bit of a con man, and perhaps a complete con man.  While in Arizona, he fell into some debt, and miraculously secured a large Spanish land grant which was conveyed to him over a campfire on a “greasy” piece of camp paper.  He tried to sell half the land to cover his debt, plus $250.  Once the deed was formalized, he would then sell it back to the people already living on the land.  His offer was refused, and he opted to leave town the morning after putting it on the table.  Seven years later he returned with a real estate agent and forger to meet with a shady title lawyer.  In 1874 the deed was filed with the Yavapai County Courthouse in Prescot, AZ.  Willing was found dead the next day.

What does that have to do with Idaho?  While there is no definitive proof or support, Willing claims to have created the name Idaho.  Originally, Willing claimed that Idaho was a Shoshone word meaning “gem of the mountains”. When Idaho was found to have no such meaning, Willing changed stories and declared that he coined the name after being inspired by a young girl named Ida. 

Seems legit!

Idaho is the largest producer of potatoes in the US, generally producing around 13 billion pounds of tuber’s a year.

While not the #1 climbing destination in Idaho, The Black Cliffs are no joke.  They would certainly be the #1 climbing destination in most other states.  The views are spectacular, the climbing is marvelous, the approach is manageable, and there is climbing all year round.  Nearly 275 routes to choose from which include trad, sport, top rope, and some bouldering.  Positioned along the Boise River there isn’t a wall that could disappoint in terms of scenery.  If you can only hit one area though, I’d suggest the Short Cliffs.  Despite being short, the routes here still clock in at 40-50 feet.  There is a mix of trad and lead, with the star of the show being a route called Bologna Pony.

Bologna Pony is 4 star 5.10d filled with fun and pump.  The views will force you to spend a few extra minutes at the anchors to drink it all in.  Other popular routes include Unknown Leon, Basic Training, and Bag of Stems.  Despite not being as highly rated, some of the routes will capture you based on the names alone.  Safe Sex Subaru, Win Lose or Draw, Swimmin’ in Ignorance, and First Lead, are all worth a try based on name alone.

And as a bonus, The Black Cliffs are just 20 minutes from Downtown Boise.  Unless you’re from Idaho, you may not realize that Boise is a foodie’s paradise!  Whether it’s steaks, breakfast, burgers, or tacos, there is something for everyone in Boise.  But we’re not here for all that, we’re here for potatoes!

When it comes to Potatoes in Idaho, the only spot to consider is the Boise Fry Co.

At the Boise Fry Co. it’s all about the spud.  Their slogan is “Burgers on the side”, and when you’re in Idaho, that is how it should be.  The menu offers six varieties of fries and five different cuts.  They have nine dipping sauces and over fifteen seasonings.  The potato options are yam, sweet, purple, red, gold, and russet. The cuts include regular, po’ balls, curly, shoestring, home style and curly.  The dips range from Sweet Mustard to Blueberry Ketchup, and the spices range from siracha to salt.  The fries come unseasoned so that each order can be finished with whatever combination of flavors each customer prefers!

They offer specialty fries including the Bourgeois (homestyle russet fries fried in duck fat and garnished with Italian truffle salt) and Truffle Parmesan Fries (russet fries covered with truffle salt, minced garlic, and parmesan cheese). If fries aren’t your thing, they do offer Brussel sprouts and salads.  Sides include an array of burgers (Beef, Bison, Turkey, Funguy, and Vegan) in an array of options.  I favor The Heat which includes lettuce, blueberry compote, habaneros, and spicy ketchup. Yum!  If you are looking for something other than a burger, Boise Fry Co. also offers Grilled Cheese, and BLT’s.  Chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, and Oreo shakes are on the menu to compliment the starch with a blast of sweet.

As George M. Willing once said upon hearing a young child ask “why?” and coining the name Wyoming “Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail of delicious French fries”.

Black Cliffs and Purple Fires are the perfect way to spend a day in Boise.  Do it for yourself, do it for George M. Willing, and do it for young Ida!

Location: Boise, Idaho “Esto Perpetua”

Crag: Black Cliffs

Restaurant: Boise Fry Co.

Distance: 8 miles