Our Story

AMGA Certified Guides
All Gear Included
Adventure of a Lifetime

We believe EVERYONE can enjoy rock climbing with their friends and family at their own level.

We strive to share the vertical world, and give you a whole new vision from the summits of the Black Hills.

The Sylvan Rocks story started in 1974 when founder Susan Scheirbeck was taken rock climbing, but not taught anything about what was going on. Without any explanation of knots, gear, proper communication, anchor systems, safe rappel skills, or even how to move on the rock, she was taken up routes far too difficult for her to enjoy.

After an experience like that, many people would have never touched the rock again, but that initial experience prompted Susan to found Sylvan Rocks Climbing School and Guide Service 15 years later. She created a climbing school that focused on fun while learning, and taught solid climbing techniques to build the skills needed for a lifetime of adventure.

Her operation grew from a small guide shack below the Sylvan Lake Lodge in Custer State Park to a successful downtown Hill City, South Dakota business. In 1991 Sylvan Rocks gained accreditation from the American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA), the foremost authority on climbing and mountaineering guide training in the United States.

“We’ve come a long way since 1989... I had a chance to prove our school’s teaching philosophy of thoroughness and have really enjoyed all the wonderful people who have been through our programs and are now solid climbers.” — Susan S.

Climbing was Susan’s love, but the growth of her other business venture, Granite Sports outdoor store, demanded more and more of her time. By 2002 running two businesses finally became too much to manage.

Sue sold Sylvan Rocks to Michael and Nicole Keegan, who had long dreamed of owning and operating a climbing school. They ran the school for three great seasons with the help of Matt Mieczkowski, as head climbing guide.

In January 2006, Daryl Stisser and Cheryl Mayer Stisser, who met in the Needles on a college rock climbing trip, purchased the climbing school and began pouring their passion for Black Hills climbing into growing the business. They successfully operated Sylvan Rocks for 14 seasons, transforming it into the premier rock climbing guide service in the Black Hills region.

In the spring of 2020 during the global COVID-19 pandemic, Daryl and Cheryl decided against opening for the season; and then concluded that it was time to pass on the Sylvan Rocks’ legacy to someone else that shared their love for climbing and guiding in the Black Hills. By mid-August they had found their successors.

Black Hills native, Brandon Emery, and Indiana native turned Black Hills transplant, Jeff Llewellyn, who had each spent multiple seasons guiding for Sylvan Rocks, chose to follow their shared dream and purchase the company. They were able to open the business for a limited late summer and fall season in 2020, followed by a record season in 2021! In March 2022, Brandon purchased Jeff’s interest and is now the sole owner. I am very excited to continue building upon Sylvan Rocks’ well-established reputation as the premier climbing guide service in the Black Hills. The Sylvan Rocks team and I look forward to sharing a summit with you as part of your Black Hills vacation adventure!

Owner Signature

Brandon Emery Owner / AMGA Certified Guide

01-big-smile

02-climber-on-aquarium

03-cheyenne-on-summit

04-dad-and-daughter

05-daryl-on-totem-pole

06-smiling-girl-at-practice-rock

07-opd-looking-at-oo

08-devils-tower-climbers

09-devils-tower-post-summit-psyche

10-lev-ledge

11-palisades

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5 stars

I did an 8 hr climbing day with Shankar and it was wonderful! We talked before-hand about my skill level and what I was hoping for on our climbing day. Shankar picked out some fun multi-pitch climbs for me at the Cathedral Spires. I have some years experience in rock climbing so I wasn't looking for an instructional day. Shankar started me right out on a classic climb up one spire and then we climbed 2 other spires that day. We climbed one spire twice when I expressed an interest in a more challenging route right next to the classic route we climbed first. I'd climb with Shankar and Sylvan Rocks again any day.

5 stars

This is a tremendous experience. We took a group of 6 adults and 5 young children ranging in age from 5-8 and everyone climbed. Jeff and Brandon were kind, patient and encouraging. They were firm with anything regarding safety. This is a wonderful opportunity for the children to experience of sense of accomplishment and personal responsibility. The area of Sylvan Lake is a majestic background for what was an experience we will never forget.

5 stars

My son and I did an introductory climbing day a couple of years ago with Sylvan Rocks. That day made my son fall in love with climbing. Last week, we returned for a three-day climbing session, and it was even better than the first. Our guide Shankar gave us three amazing days that culminated in my son's ascent of Spires 2 and 3 of the Cathedral Spires in Custer State Park. He was patient, good-humored, and laser-focused on safety while dealing both with my beginner's mistakes, and with my son's need for technical training. While he pushed me to stretch my limits, there was never any point at which I felt it was inappropriate. And, we got to the top of the "Aquarium." On top of all that, Shankar's just a really cool guy. I feel that we got more than our money's worth out of this experience, and we will be back to climb again with Sylvan Rocks.

Your Adventure Awaits

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