You’ll Get Vertigo Watching This Devils Tower Climb

Let's strap a GoPro to a climber's head and watch, from his point of view, as he climbs Devils Tower, Wyoming. Then let's post it on YouTube and give everyone who watches it VERTIGO!

I don't consider myself much of a climber; more like a guy who climbs, sometimes. However, when we bailed on this climb last year, I knew I'd be back. (TrevorVio).

He claims that this is the easiest way up the tower. That might be, but to those who don't climb, it looks insane.

You will not see the entire climb in this video. That literally took all day. This video is just 25 minutes long.

You can watch the video below.

This video can teach you a lot about how climbers do what they do. Watch the various hooks and other devices they use to anchor themselves should they fall.

The two climbers are tethered together. If one falls, the other is ballast. The ropes are springy like bungee cords to help cushion the stop.

To climb Devils Tower, you need to register for a permit, plan a route (like the Durrance Route), and be experienced in traditional climbing, as the ascent involves multiple pitches, often using crack-climbing techniques.

The climb typically requires several hours for the ascent, and you must be prepared for the multi-pitch system and have a plan for the rappel descent.

There have been seven climbing deaths at Devils Tower over its 100-plus-year climbing history. The most recent fatality was in September 2024, when a climber died after a fall while rappelling.

It is never the climb up that kills these adventurers. The National Park Service says that a majority of accidents and deaths at the tower have occurred during descents, and advises climbers to inspect anchors, use backups, and properly manage their ropes.