Winter is at our doorstep here in Ouray. We have had some great snow storms over the past few weeks which will transfer nicely to good skiing and ice climbing. It is important to note the type of snow we have been receiving has had good water content. This especially makes for a perfect ice…
Have you busted out your tools yet? Grip Strength is very important to ice climbing. Often the forearm pump & lack of grip strength will cause an ice climber to get exhausted, just not being able to hold on any longer. In your training sessions, be sure to incorporate exercises that develop grip strength to get…
Pre-Season Stoke Series: Ideas to enhance your training sessions for the upcoming ice climbing season. There are many parts to the training puzzle. We hope you are eager to get tuned up for ice climbing season. We suggest connecting with a professional trainer or athlete to get a specific training schedule that is appropriate for…
Here in Ouray we have had rain over the past few days and snow in the high country. This makes us eager with anticipation for the upcoming winter season and ice climbing. This moisture seeping into the ground is great for future ice flows. Once we start to get a melt / freeze cycle this…
The San Juan Mountains have rugged alpine canyons to explore. Different than the desert sandstone slot canyons of Uath, the canyons in the San Juans are wild with rock diversity, log-jams, high alpine-style mountainous gorges with ferns and raspberries flourishing among the pines. These canyons are rich with adventure and scenic delight. Ouray is home…
Our Alpamayo Expedition Team had a great summit climb 07/14/15. They had a day of rest, post summit, at high camp and then yesterday they journeyed down to Base Camp. Today, 07/16/15, they will enjoy the day at Base Camp relaxing and relishing in the beauty of the Cordillera Blanca. Andrés called this morning, they are…
Our Alpamayo expedition team is doing great. Yesterday (07/13/15) they made it to High Camp at 18,000 ft (5,485 m.). Their plan was to go for a summit bid starting late last night. Wishing them a fun and safe climb to the summit of Alpamayo 19,512 ft. (5,947 m.) and back down. Stay tuned as…
Our team is doing strong en route to Alpamayo. They had a great rest day yesterday and are moving to Moraine Camp today (07/12/15) at 16,076 ft or 4,900 m. Everyone is well and the weather is holding good. Best to the team as they continue upwards to advanced basecamp or Col Camp tomorrow at…
We received word from Andrés and the team this afternoon (07/09/15). They are all doing fantastic. Today they hiked from the Llama Corral Camp to Base Camp (14,107 ft. or 4,300 m.) in the Arhuaycocha Gully, which overlooks the beautiful Lago Arhuaycocha. Their plan is to do a carry to Moraine Camp (16,000 ft. or…
The Alpamayo Expedition hit the Santa Cruz Valley Trail at Cashapampa today (07/08/15), burros loaded with gear. We received a SPOT check in from them at the Llama Corral Camp. We wish them a safe & wonderful journey!
Our Expedition to Alpamayo has begun. The solid team led by Andrés Marín and co-guided by Josh Miller arrived in Huaraz yesterday. Huaraz is in North-Central Perú and is the capital of the Ancash Region. It sits at just over 10,000 ft (3,050 m). Today (07/08/15) the team will complete the gear check and final pack…
A Custom Climb of the Moose’s Tooth in Denali National Park by Chuck Foster I have been a rock and ice climber off and on since the mid 1970’s. I have always enjoyed climbing and have been fairly competent (lead 5.9, used to lead 5.10 and climb WI 3) but have never taken climbing too seriously or…
The better question is why not? Mount Rainier is the highest glaciated peak in the Lower 48 States and is the perfect setting to learn essential snow and ice mountaineering skills. Your learning and experience on our Rainier climb will not only challenge you but it will prepare you for bigger mountains and other…
For the next couple of weeks we will introduce to you some of the most legendary peaks of the Mighty San Juan Mountain Range. No two peaks are the same and each provides a unique experience that is catered by San Juan Mountain Guides to ensure you some of the best adventures of your 2015…
Heard from Dave via the SAT phone today. They are doing fantastic in Chicago Basin, enjoying the fresh snow. Today was a terrific day touring in the mountains. Tomorrow they will ski more and Saturday head back to the train to return to Durango. We’ll have a trip report and photos once they get home.…
Our epic spring ski mountaineering course is taking place in Chicago Basin of the Weminuche Wilderness. The team of three led by Dave Ahrens hiked in from the DSNGRR on Monday. Yesterday they had a great tour. Today, May 13th, is day 3. Received word from Lead Guide Dave Ahrens, all is well with the…
For the next couple of weeks we will introduce to you some of the most legendary peaks of the Mighty San Juan Mountain Range. No two peaks are the same and each provides a unique experience that is catered by San Juan Mountain Guides to ensure you some of the best adventures of your 2015…
Just got word from Andrés. He and Chuck flew off the Root Canal to Talkeetna this morning. Great news! So happy they have made it to Talkeetna safely.
Andrés and Chuck doing fine in the Root Canal, they are waiting a good weather window to fly out.
All is well in the Root Canal with Andrés and Chuck. They attempted the Route Shaken Not Stirred on the Moose’s Tooth. Conditions were too warm to complete the climb. Their plan is to fly out of the glacier today. Will update once they are safe and sound in Talkeetna.