Long before camming devices, sticky rubber or kernmantle ropes, a daring duo from the East Coast took to South Dakota¿s Needles with an 80-foot rope, soft iron pitons and tennis shoes. Herb and Jan Conn made their mark exploring and mapping the Needles, as well as ascending classic and sometimes outrageous lines to incredible places. This guide describes over 240 climbs and recounts the stories of this enigmatic Black Hills couple.

By Lindsay Stephens