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ROCKING OUT: IT'S TIME TO TRANSITION FROM GYM TO CRAG (LEFT). BOULDER‘S BEAR PEAK IS A WORLD-CLASS HIKE (RIGHT).
improve their offerings is by adding gym-to-crag programs. Traditional mentorship can be problematic, says Flash Foxy founder Shelma Jun. “It’s a gatekeeping point. If you don’t know anybody, it’s hard to join.” After teaching indoor gymto-crag classes in New York City for several years, Jun earned her AMGA Single Pitch Instructor and Apprentice Rock Guide certifications to prepare to the launch the 2021 Flash Foxy Education Courses, which serve women and genderqueer climbers with an emphasis on safety and sustainable recreation. Flash Foxy’s mission is to promote inclusivity while lowering the sport’s barriers of entry including scholarship funds. “Hiring guides can be expensive,” says Peak Mountain Guides owner Lance Sullins, who taught the donation-based gym-to-crag workshop that McArthur attended. Sullins says, “Climbing gyms create an awesome avenue for people to get into climbing. Then gym-to-crag programs help provide people with the outdoor basics.” —Morgan Tilton
E L E VAT I O N O U T D O O R S / O C TO B E R - N OV E M B E R 2 0 2 1
T H ER E’ S A R E A S O N T H E ED I TO R S O F EL E VAT I O N O U T D O O R S M AG A ZI N E L I V E H ER E: A DV EN T U R E S I N F O O D A N D I N FI EL D A B O U N D. EAT
A number of world-class chefs have made their way to Boulder, causing Bon Appetite to dub the town the Foodiest in America. The best way to sample as much as possible is to join Boulder County’s Restaurant Week October 8–17 (firstbiteboulder.com). For breakfast, head to The Hill for Alpine Modern Cafe (alpinemodern. com), located in a quaint stone cottage, and dig into any of their Tartine dishes. For lunch, grab a hot sandwich from Snarf’s—also good for brown-bagging on an adventure—(snarfs.com). And for dinner, make reservations at Blackbelly (blackbelly.com).
PLAY
Where to begin? Snow is gathering in the high country, and Boulder’s closest ski area, Eldora (eldora.com, 45 minute drive), is targeting to open mid-November. Still, temperatures in and around town remain mild. Rock climbing and scrambling abounds among the iconic Flatirons, as well as up Boulder
and Eldorado Canyons. For hikers, there are a few trail closures of which to be aware of but there are still plenty of open options like the trail to Malory Cave (2.8 mi R/T), Annie U White Trail (3.2 mi R/T), or tag South Boulder Peak (6.5 mi R/T). Mountain bikers can connect Doudy Draw and Marshal Mesa, or grind and flow a series of great trails in Lefthand Canyon below Fairview Peak.
STAY
Boulder is a college town, so with the exception of move-in weekend and Homecoming (Nov. 4–7) lodging options abound. On the high end of the scale is the luxurious St. Julian (stjulien.com)—complete with an onproperty spa, restaurant, lounge, and intimate views of the iconic Boulder Flatirons. The Hotel Boulderado (boulderado.com) is a longstanding staple that has served the community since 1909 and is also located downtown with beautiful views of the foothills and on-site dining. Both hotels offer easy access to the popular Pearl Street walking mall, and the shops and restaurants continue to the east and west. For a more in-the-woods feel, the Boulder Adventure Lodge (a-lodge. com) is in Boulder Canyon and gives the closest access to all the adventures up the canyon. This recently remodeled property offers a warm and modern interior with a rustic style exterior and has private rooms or economy hostelstyle bunk rooms to suit every budget. —Cameron Martindell
PC PEAK MOUNTAIN GUIDES (LEFT), DOUG SCHNITZSPAHN (RIGHT), COURTESY OF DOUG & MELINDA MCCAW (OPPOSITE PAGE)
experience. Now the father of a preteen son, he wants to hone his safety protocols before venturing out onto the rock. McArthur is one of the nearly 5.54 million Americans age 6 and up who are flocking to climbing gyms nationwide: Less than half that number engage outdoors in both bouldering and sport climbs, according to the Outdoor Foundation’s 2021 Outdoor Participation Trends Report. Indoor athletes also exceed the population of traditional, ice, and mountaineering climbers combined. In August 2021, the sport’s debut in the Tokyo Olympic Games 2020 further fueled the sport. El Cap, one of the nation’s biggest climbing gym networks, with five Colorado facilities, recorded a spike of site visits, gear shop sales, and website traffic following the Olympics this summer. “As gyms get bigger and more climbers exist, who is responsible for the education process? Brands, gyms, and media should collaborate: It’s all of our responsibility,” says Ben Yardley, senior manager of sales strategy at Outside, publisher of Gym Climber magazine, which launched in 2018. According to the 2019 Rock & Ice Reader Survey, more than 75% of subscribers rope-up indoors; and, the best way for climbing gyms to
EAT, PLAY, STAY: BOULDER, COLORADO
