ot: what have you splurged on this week?

ot: what have you splurged on this week? Nov 29, 2018 22:56:24 GMT

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Post by cts1 on Nov 29, 2018 22:56:24 GMT

Nov 29, 2018 22:40:01 GMT deviates said:

Nov 29, 2018 22:35:49 GMT cts1 said:

Ouray, Colorado. They run water spigots in a box canyon. Leadable WI 2 to WI 6 and world competition level mixed climbing, if you are into that sort of thing (one rated at MI 15-!). Because there are anchors at the top of many areas, toproping is easy, too. The beginner routes are walking distance from the town. If you are a beginner, you can probably get away with no motor vehicle (use a shuttle to and from town, and none needed in town).

Sounds great. My lead climbing is pretty good so it would be nice to go somewhere different to challenge myself with that while having a go at ice climbing. Thanks, time to research a holiday! Is there much bouldering that way in Colorado?

Not in January or late December, when you want to go to get the ice. Good place for working on your mixed climbing, though.

For what it is worth: my experience with European climbers on their first USA trip is that they often show up with really solid skills, great technical equipment, and inadequate equipment for the amount of cold they will be dealing with. Happens in both Colorado and Denali (and Canada too). The good bouldering will probably be under snow or ice. Also: Ouray is at 7,700', and that takes the edge off of everyone's energy for the first few days. Never bouldered in minus 20 degrees (C), but good luck if that is your thing...

Colorado is better known for multipitch moderate trad climbing, but I never went for that (had that closer to home).