Koocanusa Krank returns to Lincoln Co.
Eureka's Issac Reynolds was in a celebratory mood after climbing a rock face at the Stone Hill Climbing Area on Highway 37 south of Eureka at the Koocanusa Krank on Saturday, Sept. 23. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)
Whitefish's Julie Nissi eyes her next hand hold on a rock face at the Stone Hill Climbing Area on Highway 37 south of Eureka during the Koocanusa Krank on Saturday, Sept. 23. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)
Columbia Falls' Greg Stenger analyzes his next step at the Stone Hill Climbing Area on Highway 37 south of Eureka at the Koocanusa Krank on Saturday, Sept. 23. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)
Whitefish's Sam Bourret works his way up a rock face at the Koocanusa Krank at the Stone Hill Climbing Area on Highway 37 south of Eureka on Saturday, Sept. 23. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)
Last weekend's Koocanusa Krank hosted more than 100 rock climbers at the Stone Hill Climbing Area on Highway 37 south of Eureka on Saturday, Sept. 23. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)
Helena's Tim Schmidt hangs out on a rock face at the Koocanusa Krank at the Stone Hill Climbing Area on Highway 37 south of Eureka on Saturday, Sept. 23. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)
On the 30th anniversary of the last Koocanusa Krank, more than 100 rock climbers from across the region descended on the Stone Hill Climbing Area last Saturday.
Last held in 1993, the Krank made its return to the quartzite cliffs along Highway 37 just south of Rexford.
The Northwest Montana Climbers Coalition worked with the Access Fund, American Alpine Club and the Kootenai National Forest to host the first revival.
Kim Givler of the Climbers Coalition said there were extremely happy to surpass the 100-climber mark.
"We really didn't know what to expect and it was great to see so many people come out," Givler said.
The event is this year’s annual fundraiser for the Climbers Coalition, but the primary goal of the day is fun.
Climbers from various ages participated, including Kalispell youth Calixte Richer to 50-plus Greg Stenger of Columbia Falls.
Stenger said he helped organize one of the first Krank events more than 30 years ago.
"It's really great to see it return and hopefully it will continue," he said.
Givler said she also hopes the return marks the beginning of the Krank being an annual event.
The Climbers Coalition has been working at the Stone Hill Climbing Area doing re-bolting and re-anchoring projects. They've also done a trails project there as well as new signage that addressed climbing routes, camping options and staying safe.
