Ice Climbing Adventures in Ouray

Ouray is a small town in Colorado nestled among the mountains, often referred to as "Little Switzerland" as it resembles parts of the Alps. They have some of the best ice in the lower 48 at the Ouray Ice Park, which is a major fixture in the ice climbing community.

Ouray at 6am

Back in February, I was invited by some of my CMC friends to go on an ice climbing trip to the Ouray Ice Park over a long weekend. I rented a set of Black Diamond-Cobra Ice Tools from Wilderness Exchange in Denver, packed up my gear, and waited for Walt who was coming at 4pm.

The drive was 6 hours, and we arrived in Ouray around midnight and completely crashed! I haven't been in the car that long since I was driving from Massachusetts to Colorado a year and a half ago.

We met the other four people at a coffee shop on the Main St. of Ouray and made our way across town to the Ouray Ice Park in Box Canyon.

In order to enter the park, you must first don a pair of crampons, then walk along the top of the canyon, until descending into an area called the Schoolroom.

Inside the Schoolroom

We climbed down the steep hill to the canyon floor, and crossed a ladder over the river and set up our base for the day. The sun barely made it down into the canyon as we began to climb; there were two routes set up, one up a series of ice falls/caverns and a lovely sloping one.

Looking down into the canyon.

Route 1

Route 2

Ice cavern!

Schoolroom with the only sun for the day.

Water Fall(ice fall?)

The sound of ice tools and crampons thudding into the ice sending out a spray of , filled the air, with the sunlight streaming far overhead. The Ice park was unlike anywhere I'd ever been before, there were hundreds maybe thousands of people from all over the place climbing in this one canyon area in Ouray, CO. We drove 6 hours, and the folk climbing next to us on day 1 were from Denver. On day 2, we were climbing a different set of routes, and we climbed with 3 other CMC groups from all different area's of Colorado. It was so neat to  be in a place where everyone else loved what they were doing!

Jay Belaying!

Me, Kicking a step.

Almost topping the route(which I did).

Anchored to the wall!

We figured out after some trial and error that we needed to set up anchors so that we could belay the guys better. I decided to test the achor.

The Folk.

Walt climbing.

This was probably one of the coolest trips I've ever taken...and I cannot wait for next winter!!

Another Snow-thwarted attempt at Sky Pond.

Leading my first hike was a nerve wracking adventure, We all met at the CMC around 6:30am, and drove to Boulder to retrieve another member of our party, before continuing on to Rocky Mountain National Park.

The previous week I had gone up to RMNP and scouted the trip with a friend of mine, however within a week, there was approximately 3 feet of new snow up on the trail, so It had certainly changed.

We began hiking around 8, and lost our trail around 10, and wandered around in the woods, unknowingly 20 feet from the trail. At one point, I had taken a step into the snow and sunk up to my chest. Now for those of you who don't know me, I'm not short...5'8" to be precise. I had to get some help from the members of the group, in order to climb my way out of the 4' high snow.

Around 11, we found the trail and made our way up to the Loch, and ate lunch. It was amazingly sunny, and there was 2' of powder on the lake, the scenery made it a perfect afternoon! The hike back was rather uneventful, however it was certainly an experience! Everyone made it back to Golden, Co.  safely!

Head trip leader, and me!

Sky Pond...almost.

I am in the process of becoming a Trip Leader for the Colorado Mountain Club, and I am required to lead two  Leader in Training(LIT) hikes with another leader. I chose my destination, Sky Pond, and determined the route to get there. It isn't a requirement for me to scout the location prior to leading the trip, however I felt the need to scout the trail, made me feel safer leading others up there. 

I decided that I would take a trip up there solo, a week prior to the scheduled trip-- I managed to coerce one of the folk from my ice climbing school to come along for the fun! 

We met in Boulder at 6 AM hindered by a great lack of caffeine in our systems, and drove to Rocky Mountain National Park's Glacier Gorge Trailhead. We began hiking around 7:30, making a number of adjustment stops, before moving comfortably. 

View from the trail looking toward some distant peaks

The weather was cool, the sun still hidden behind the incredible monoliths of the Rocky Mountains, and the cold wind consistently blowing. Snowshoes were unnecessary for the first few miles of the trip, the trails were well packed down, even icy in some spots.

View from the trail heading towards the Loch Vale.

In many spots, I could only stand and stare in wonderment at the scenery, I've not been able to spend a lot of my time hiking up in the park, however I certainly will spend more of my time there now!

After the rather large open space, we receded back into the trees, and climbed a gaping snow covered gash of a canyon, up the Loch Vale.

View up the gash.

Back where we had come from.

Once we emerged from the woods, the scenery was overwhelming, I had never seen something so wild, and gorgeous. We sat on a log and ate lunch, taking in the sights, then continued across the lake.

Loch Vale with Taylor glacier to the left.

We had been playing tag all day with another group of folks who were ahead of us, enjoying the view at Timberline Falls. I made an attempt to urge my friend to scramble the rocks/ice with me, however after closer examination, I would really need Crampons/ Tools to climb the icy snow to the right. We made the decision to have a snack, then descend before the sun did...

Timberline Falls

It took 1/2 the time to descend the trail, as it had taken us to climb, and on the way up I had pulled a butt muscle :\.

Where we had hike up from.

We arrived back at the car around 3:30 ish and made way for Boulder, and Southern Sun Pub & Brewing.

Though we hadn't made it all the way up to Sky Pond, I feel more confident about leading a trip in that area! I am quite excited to fully complete this trip, on Feb. 5th! I will update, then!

A Journey into the Heart of Eldo/Walker Ranch...

I was not sure if my body could handle a 14 mile loop through the hilly woods of Boulder's Eldorado Canyon/Walker Ranch Open Space Park. I figured it couldn't hurt to make an attempt, and found myself more than able!

 It started off as a relatively chilly day, however mid day the sun came out, and it was absolutely amazing! I had never been back into Eldorado Canyon before, and can't wait to go back there-- the climbing looked incredible!

We managed to complete 14.8 miles before 4pm...so it took between 6 and 7 hours to complete the trek! I am so proud of the fact that I was able to compete this trip....next time I go there, I think i'll bring a much heavier pack, for training purposes!

I want to live in this red house!!!!!

Deer-me! Deer Creek Canyon March.

Two days after Ice climbing, and I wasn't even sore...So I decided to hike all the trails in the Deer Creek Canyon Open Space Park. 10 miles of trails, with beautiful views of the Hogback rock formation.

It was sunny, and relatively warm. There was no need for snowshoes, or even micro-spikes!!! We had a lovely group of people, and overall it was a very easy hike. It gave my body a chance to get my hiking legs back! :)

Scaling an Ice Tower- Ice Climbing in Rocky Mountain National Park

I learned what Ice climbing after joining the Colorado Mountain Club, it wasn't something that I had heard of before, which is not surprising. When I lived back east, I swore I would never rock climb, and I went hiking probably a few times year. I was also 40 pounds heavier. I always loved hiking, but I could never find anyone to go with, and I was not confident enough to go alone.

When I arrived here in Colorado, I began to hike quite frequently, and the more I learned, the strong stronger I got, the more confident I began to feel in the backcountry. In 2011, I did so many new things- backpacking, rock climbing, and climbed my first 3 14ers! So far, 2012 has introduced me to my new favorite climbing sport...Ice Climbing.

The group I went with is based out of Boulder Colorado, which is about 40 mins from my house, meaning that I had to wake up earlier than they did! I went to bed at 7:30 on Friday night, and woke at 3:00am on Saturday January 14, 2012. Being up so early was certainly disorienting, and I arrived at the meeting spot slightly early. We piled into two different cars, and drove to Rocky Mountain National Park.

We arrived slightly before 6am, and began hiking via headlamp. It was quite chilly, but clear-- the moon brightened the dark snow covered landscape, and the sky was blanketed with stars. Despite the early start, I was amazed at the beauty, even in the dark. We arrived at the lake shortly after sunrise, and put our harness's and crampons on, for a lovely stroll across the frozen lake! Once on the other side of the two lakes, we post holed through deep crusty snow, and climbed to the beautiful ice flow.

The wind was rather strong, as our Instructor made the maiden voyage up the ice flow, setting up the first route. I made my first attempt to climb up the ice, within 30 mins of arrival, and it is a truly amazing feeling to make that first kick into the ice! The first time up, I only climbed about 15ft., my calves were knotting up, and my hands were numb from gripping the tools. I asked to be lowered, and stretched my muscles for my second trip up the ice.

I decided to take the longer route up the second time, and found that my body felt more comfortable with the rhythmic movement of Ice Climbing. The sun began to rise over the trees by this point, shining on the gleaming ice, and then shortly after, disappearing back into the trees.

One of our Party basking in the Morning Sun.

I made it more than three quarters of the way up the route, before I slipped off the wall, to be caught by my belayer. I made two more ascents of the ice wall before the group packed up and hiked out.

My experience ice climbing was probably one of the most liberating, I felt more safe than I do when on rock. 

As the sun dipped further beneath the hills, we hiked across the frozen lake, pushed to and fro by the strong, bone chilling wind. 

To the left, Longs peak, Middle Pagoda Peak, and to the right is Chiefs head.

The group!

It was certainly a day to remember, and I hope to continue having such amazing adventures!

Great Start to a New Year or Snowshoeing the Lincoln Lake Trail

So unlike other people my age, I did not spend New Years Eve out partying... I had my one beer at 4:30pm, and made sure I was asleep by 9pm. I was not going to wake up with a hangover and skip my New Years Day tradition of spending my first day of the year out on the trails!

Instead of waking up and feeling awful, I woke up at 5:30am, and met my group at 7:00am, to travel to the Echo Lake Lodge. The sky was a deep blue,  and there was a slight wind, however once we began hiking into the woods it ceased. The first half of the trail was a gentle upslope, with no need for snowshoes, however the less traveled potion of the trail was lovely fluffy powder!! We hiked down to an area that had absolutely no snow, a cleared portion far away from where a plough could go!

 View from the only spot without snow.

We hiked a while further in this perfect whether, before we ate lunch! I didn't even neat to wear a coat, only a light layer, the weather is amazing!

A lovely tree where we ate lunch!

After lunch!

The view of scenery!

The trip back was difficult, if you've ever heard the statement "up hill both ways", this was a great example!

The trail!

Thank you MSR!!! For Making all Snowshoe Trips possible!

If there was such a thing as a perfect beginning to the New Year, then this was it! I am seriously jazzed for this new year!!!!

Hope everyone had such a lovely day! :)