Grade:V7
Area:Taylors Falls – Wisconsin Side
Mike’s Left is the flagship V7 for Minnesota boulderers. While it is technically not even in Minnesota — it’s close enough. If I were to guess I would say that for Twin Cities climbers — it is the most common first V7 due to Taylors’ close proximity to the cities. It is a stand start with initial technical moves on small holds giving way to an all-out dyno for most people to latch the finishing jug. According to Stone Crusade, Mike’s Left was first done by Chris Ecklund sometime around or after 1989.
It can be hard to find this problem if you haven’t been shown where it is. It can be seen from the Minnesota side directly across the river from the concrete boat landing area behind a ‘no swimming’ sign. To approach, hike from the Wisconsin side picnic area (or Sentinel Rock trail) parking area and make your way down to the river. When you reach the river, backtrack a little ways upstream past an old outdoor brick oven of some kind (you’ll know it when you see it) until reaching the problem near the no swimming sign.
It starts with a right hand sidepull crimp and a left hand undercling and goes more or less straight up through a very sharp pocket (pretty much everyone tapes their left index finger for this hold), a sloper, and the jug.
Good luck!
