The San Juan Mountains of Southwest Colorado are home to some of the most inspiring, classic ice routes in the US. Whether you are new to the sport and seeking instruction or a seasoned alpinist, you’d love the variety of countless routes concentrated mostly in Ouray Ice Park. Most routes are less than a 15 minute walk from the Park entrance. The area clearly boasts one of the highest concentrations of water ice in the world.
The unique venue hosts over 200 man-made ice routes located in the stunning Uncompahgre Gorge, just steps from downtown Ouray. Routes are farmed from water pipes above the gorge and are therefore almost always in really good condition. Also known as Little Switzerland, Ouray is a Mecca for ice climbing, and is also famous for it’s hot springs.
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With easy access, routes of all grades, and hot pools to relax in after climbing, the Ouray Ice Park is one of the best places to learn how to climb ice on the planet. There is even an area for children to learn, so you can bring the whole family to try it. Adrex.com recommends services of Mountain Trip Colorado guides.
Mountain Trip Colorado
Mountain Trip are a permitted guide service in the Ouray Ice Park. They also hold US Forest Service Permits to guide outside of Ouray, where they have access to routes that range from 100’ to 1,200 feet long. Mountain Trip can also facilitate getting you onto some of the long, alpine ice climbing routes near Silverton or Telluride, which is Adrex.com about to bring you in one of our next articles.
Guides from Mountain Trip will work with you if you are a novice ice climber to pick routes suitable for your level of experience. More experienced climbers can access routes that will push their limits such as the iconic Bridalveil Falls (WI5+), above Telluride, the Ames Ice Hose (WI 5+ and perhaps the best 3 pitch ice route in the state).
Ouray Ice Park
Ouray Ice Park was built by an enthusiastic all-volunteer work force, entirely with donated materials and capital. Ouray Ice Park, Inc. (OIPI) is a nonprofit corporation that includes seven volunteer board members who are considerably skilled at ditch digging and plumbing systems. The Park as we know it today is a shining example of what a volunteer organization can accomplish with little capital but a lot of enthusiasm and vision. OIPI has continued to improve and expand the Park each year through memberships, corporate sponsorships, and funds raised by the annual Ouray Ice Festival.
The Park´s climbing facilities are available from mid December to late March.
The Park usually prepares up to 14 named climbing areas: South Park, New Funtier, Grad School, School Room, Alcove, Kid’s Climbing Wall, Upper Bridge, Lower Bridge, Scottish Gullies, Five Fingers, Stump Wall, Shithouse Wall, and Gazebo Wall, all with more than 3 miles of vertical terrain.
Within walking distance you can get here a fine lodging, dining, shopping, natural hot springs, equipment rental, and guiding services.
Ouray Ice Park lies within 6 hours of three major metropolitan areas: Albuquerque, NM; Denver, CO; and Salt Lake City, UT. Just 1 hour drive from Montrose and Telluride regional airports, and a 2 hour drive from the Grand Junction and Durango airports.
Contacts: Mountain Trip Colorado, 108 Aurum, Ophir, CO 81426, USA Tel. +1-970-369-1153 For more information you can go to: www.mountaintrip.com
Source: Mountain Trip website and FB profile Thanks to Todd Rutledge. All images are property of Mountain Trip Colorado. Copyrights applied. Video: Youtube Text: Thomas
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