Current Conditions

With some ominous weather in the forecast, we had an early start for the flatirons. Cool morning temps and broken clouds made for a pleasant and beautiful walk up to the climb. We completed the first pitch but due to some fatigue from travel, and anxiety about the climb, the guests decided pushing on wasn’t what they wanted, and to come down. We were able to enjoy a nice hike around the flatirons with our remaining time, getting back to the cars just as the rain came in.

Peter Thomas

We started at 8am and headed up to Dines Cliff, and I set up 2 tope ropes with a static in between for me to ascend/descend for coaching and gear analysis. Guests were all experienced sport climbers, they top rope belayed each other, placing gear and clipping another rope through the gear. I went along with them, and we reviewed each placement on the way down. Clients weigh tested/ bounce tested some of the gear on the way down, while on top rope, to get a feel for it and build confidence in their gear. Because of their success on Day 1 quickly learning the skills, everyone was placing money gear. A few clients lead the 5.2 route afterward with observation from me up on the static. Then we walked 50 yards downslope to the next crag, I scrambled around and dropped 2 ropes down covering 4 routes. These were steeper routes and more challenging. Clients moc-lead, and fell onto some placements with backup of a top rope. This was an amazing confidence building exercise for everyone and it was great to see how quickly they progressed.

Doug Simpson

My client wanted to lead routes outside, and also wanted to learn to do multi-pitch systems. We accomplished both aims by taking a run up Playin’ Hooky, and then worked on movement at the doghouse on some harder, overhanging pitches that required more strength and technique.

Tristan Perry

Straightforward day doing ground school for intro to trad skills

Doug Simpson

Cold day!! But we met early to avoid the crowds we met on the way down (5 parties)

Pat Schmalix

For our final day of the intro to mountaineering course, we went live with many of the skills taught earlier in the course. We short roped and short pitched Quartzite ridge, diving deeper into “alpine” style anchors, terrain features and belays, and risk management for navigating 4th and easy 5th class rock. We finished out the course with practicing resume skills. Despite more rain forecast across the front range, we had beautiful weather in the afternoon, and were able to have a nice close to the course

Peter Thomas

The morning started off cold with high winds at Saint Mary’s. We were able to find some protection in the trees where we talked about snow anchors, rope systems for moving over snow, and to practice walking in snow with and without crampons.

Mid day the wind died down and the sun came out allowing us to venture more into the snow. Steeper slopes quickly became sun effected, which provided good opportunities to discuss risk assessment, and basic avalanche awareness. snow conditions kept us to lower angle slopes, but we were still able to get in lots of skills development, and practice.

Peter Thomas

For our first day of Intro to Mountaineering we used Quartzite ridge in Eldo to practice rope systems, and moving through the mountains in semi-technical terrain. Quartzite ridge offers great terrain to practice both movement and technical skills to work on moving efficiently while maintaining good security.

Peter Thomas