Climbing Adventures

Typical Rock Faces – Cutler Connaughton

The mountains are just a few steps from your front door in the Ridgway area. So, if you crave adventures that take you off the ground, you’ll find year-round opportunities for mountaineering and canyoning. For information on guides and outfitters to help book Know before You Go: adventures, see the guide and outfitter Canyoning and all forms listings in this Outdoor Adventure of climbing are technical section from page 26 to 37. sports that require knowledge and experience to ensure Peak Bagging safety. Check in with one The mountains around Ridgway of our local guide services are home to some of the classic who can teach you the ropes mountaineering routes in the United safely. You can also learn a States. A summit photo from the top lot by participating in the of our iconic 14-er, Mount Sneffels, Ouray Canyoning Festival in or less-explored peaks like Hayden, August, instructional clinics Chimney and Courthouse Mountain, at the OuRock! Festival in will be a treasured souvenir of your September, and the Ouray Ice trip to the San Juans (and the envy of Festival in January. all of your friends).

Ice Climbing – Peak Mountain Guides

Try bouldering in our forests, sport climbing at Rotary Park in Ouray, or multi-pitch climbs in the Uncompahgre Gorge. Many areas are great for beginners and families. Plus, we have an evergrowing number of high-quality routes for more advanced climbers.

The Ouray Via Ferrata opened in the Uncompahgre Gorge in Ouray in 2020, and a new section was added in 2021. This unique course offers ladders and metal steps, available unguided for experienced climbers and guided for climbers with less experience. Proper safety equipment is required. Information: www. ourayviaferrata.org.

From mid-December to mid-March, head to Ouray to experience ice climbing. Whether you bring your own crampons, ice tools and harness or you want to hire a local guide service to show you the ropes, we invite you to add an experience at this world-class venue to your bucket list. From low-angle climbs on the Kids’ Wall at the Ouray Ice Park to challenging backcountry ice climbs, the mountains and canyons have something for everyone.

The Ouray Ice Park offers beginning to advanced routes, so climbers of all skill levels can spend a full day learning and perfecting their individual techniques. Climbing clinics, lessons and one-on-one guiding are offered for every age and climber level throughout the season by local companies.

The Ouray Ice Festival, held every January since 1996, is an eclectic gathering of ice climbers, gear manufacturers and ice climbing enthusiasts. The largest celebration of ice climbing in North America, this international festival is scheduled for January 20-23, 2022. Each year, familiar faces return to climb, socialize, test the latest equipment, and watch the professionals power up the latest competition route. Information: www.ourayicepark.com

160 Liddell St. #C3, Ridgway, CO 81432 970.325.7342 www.peakguides.com

Sneffels Alpenglow – Cutler Connaughton

Located at the foot of the Sneffels Range in southwestern Colorado near the towns of Ouray and Ridgway, this 175-acre wilderness jewel offers local communities and visitors a remarkable place to learn, recreate, and celebrate, while also providing an inspiring gathering place for everyone interested in exploring the beauty of the San Juans. New for 2022 Top of the Pines was designated in late 2021 a Dark Sky Park by the International Dark Sky Association. More info can be found at DarkSky.org.

• Hiking • Disc Golf • Tent Camping • Wedding/Event Venue • Nordic Skiing • Biking • Stargazing/Astrophotography • Birdwatching • Outdoor Education Top of the Pines is a non-profit organization that relies on generous donations, yearly memberships, and daily user-fees to maintain and improve the facilities. Help us continue to grow and provide an amazing outdoor experience for years to come by adding to the donations boxes or donating through our website www.topofthepines.org/donate. Thank you!