Winter? What? Whatever! We’re going rock climbing! That’s right, Moab rock climbing can be enjoyed all year round. Chris came last weekend for some tower and rock fun in the beautiful red desert. After picking Chris up at the airport in Durango, we were off to the desert. A few hours later at the base…
In their October newletter, the AMGA highlights some of the issues (and what we as a climbing community can do about them), revolving around the attempt by the National Park Service to ban commercial guiding in The Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. In addition to The Black, the NPS is also attempting to…
Just got off a trip with fellow Michiganders Jen and Charlie. They were on a two week trip to climb and check out locations in Ouray for their upcoming wedding. I got them for four days near the end of their trip. Day 1: Climbed Ancient Art, Lizard Rock and two routes at Wall Street.…
Tim has wanted to climb Pigeon and Turret since he first saw them years ago, but Pigeon and Turret are big peaks deep in the Weminuche. Just getting into Ruby Creek at the base of the peaks is a big day. The weather didn’t look great but looked like it would offer us a window…
Gary had been into Chicago Basin back in the 70’s, and had left with unfinished business. He had climbed Jupiter and Windom but bad weather denied them Eolus and Sunlight. Since the 70’s Gary has climbed peaks all over the North Cascades. When he decided to return to the Weminuche to finish the peaks in…
In celebration of fixing my computer, I am posting random pictures from this summers trips for your viewing pleasure. BG
New for the fall of 2011 is our 4 Day Desert Climbing Seminar. The seminar adds 2 days to our popular 2 Day Indian Creek Crack Climbing Course and expands on a number of topics including anchoring, protection placement, lead climbing, multi-pitch strategies, self rescue, and other valuable skills that will help you to progress…
The name of the trip claims a lot, but it’s truly nothing less then spectacular! Columbine Flowers We started off in Durango on the 150-year-old narrow gauge railroad. The train stops at Elk Park in the heart of the mountains where we began the 5-day hike. The first night was spent near “the beaver ponds”…
Day 1: We started out the trip climbing at X-Rock, where we learned Belaying, Rapelling, Climbing Technique, and Anchor Systems. In the afternoon we made a meal plan for the rest of the trip and went food shopping. Day 2: We got up early and drove North to Andrews Lake which was our launching point…
Father and son duo Tom and Morgan came out from North Carolina this mid July to test their knowledge against, and learn more in, Colorado’s San Juan Mountains. We began with rock climbing at one of our local Durango crags; X Rock. Here we covered anchors, belaying, knots, safe climbing skills and a handful of other…
Durango locals, Alice and her son Paul S. along with Sean E. linked up with myself and fellow guide Ryan to hike into Vestal Basin for some peak climbing and relaxation. Paul and I climbed Vestal Peak, 13,864, via its North Face dubbed ‘The Wham Ridge.” The route maxes out its difficulty at 5.4 and…
Becky and Dan came out from Missouri last week to join us for our ‘Best of The Weminuche’ backpacking trip. This trip takes on almost 30 miles of trail with 7200 feet of elevation gain and 7600 feet of elevation loss over 5 days. Overall the weather treated us very well with the rain usually…
Tim is a machine. The other day Tim and I hiked 13.5 miles and climbed North Twilight (13,075′). Car to car in 8 hours with 45 minutes spent on the summit never rushing. We made it back to the car as the rain was starting to fall. Below are a couple photos from the day.…
A few days after climbing in the Black Canyon Chris was headed back out to Colorado to check out some peaks in No Name Basin. No Name Basin is a less known Basin in the Wininuche Wilderness just North of Chicago Basin and South of Vestal Basin, offering some incredible peaks and views. It turned…
Chris flew out from Chicago a week ago to do some cimbing in the Black Canyon. We had our eyes on a route called the Tourist Route which is usually climbed in 10-14 pitches maxing out at 5.9. For the quality of climbing found on the Tourist Route It surprises me that it doesn’t get…
We’ve made some changes to the summer Kids Rock! Climbing Program. Parents can now choose to purchase single weeks and/or multi-week combinations to allow for varying schedules and family vacation plans. Check out the flyer and email or call with any questions – or to register your kiddos! ND
Our first big rock climbing group trip of the season began with a bit of bad weather. Our plans for a great day of climbing at X-Rock with students from The Logan School in Denver, a creative learning school for K – 8 kids were trampled on by the snowy/rainy weather (it’s May 19 by…
Check out this flyer for our BRAND NEW Kids Rock Summer Climbing Programs here in Durango, CO. Kids ages 7 – 14+ will have the opportunity to learn about rock climbing from the most qualified guides in Durango, and will get to climb outdoors at places like X-Rock, East Animas, Turtle Lake, and more! More…
Chris joined us for a hat trick weekend this last weekend of mountaineering, rock climbing, and ice climbing. The weekend started out with a attempt at Snowdon peak where Ben and Chris made it to the Naked Lady coular before having to turn back. So, with some extra daylight to kill, we took Chris to…
This last week, Jeff, Matt, Mike, Jamie and Jason joined Matt and I for what turned out to be a great time in the San Juans. The crew had a good range of experience. Some people had never climbed a mountain before and others had already done a couple of the ‘Seven Summits’. Everyone came…