Photos:
http://www5.snapfish.com/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=3272979007/a=38054161/
Jen and I were able to break away to get in some ice climbing in Ouray. Ouray is one of the best ice climbing areas in the world. They pipe hot water in from natural springs, and create an amazing ice park in a canyon. There are hundreds of great climbs for all skill levels.
We headed out on Thursday after work, and arrived late. We had coordinated with a friend, Laura, who was also out there with a group of friends. On Friday morning, Jen and I headed out to the School Room climbing area. We got there early, and looked around, but didn't see Laura's group. Jen had forgotten her crampons, so I set a line while she went back to get them. Laura's group showed up, so I rapped down my line while they were setting up theirs; so I could help from below. Many lines were already taken, so they put up what was left, which had some aggressive climbs. Turns out that just a line or two down, another friend, Chad had a few lines up with his family. Between our three groups, we had a lot of lines set and a lot of variety in climbs. It was a great time climbing. The weather was a good temperature; not too hot and not too cold.
After a great day of climbing, we went over to Laura's to hang out, had a potluck, listened to music, chatted, and played some games. It was a great way to spend the evening. We organized the plans for the following day, and headed back to our hotel.
Early Saturday morning, a group of us got out really early (expecting it to be more crowded than yesterday since it was a weekend) and got there just after 7am. Turns out we were the first ones there. Oh well, we got a good parking spot, and went and started to set some lines in the New Funtier climbing area. Before long, Chad and his crew arrived, and they set some lines too. We again had a great variety of climbs, and spent another awesome day climbing.
Saturday night, Laura's crew was headed out to eat. Jen and I felt like keeping things low key, so we went over and visited with Chad's group. It was Chad, his three sons, and Carlos from California. We spent a wonderful evening with wine, food and great company. We again made plans for Sunday, and headed back to our hotel.
Sunday morning was a yummy breakfast, and then Chad was nice enough to give us a lift up to the park. Carlos and I set up on Pick of the Vic on the upper bridge area. The others went and climbed at School Room again. While we were on Pick of the Vic; Laura and Jim set up Berserker next to us. Carlos and I each made a climb on the long, fun and sustained Pick of the Vic; and then I got a chance to jump on Berserker when Jim was done. Getting on two of the longer and harder routes was an awesome way to end the climbing for the weekend.
Jen and I had to check out by noon; so we headed back to the hotel and packed the car. We had taken her car, which didn't do all that great in the snow over the weekend. We had to push it out from being stuck a few times; and were sliding around a bit. On the way home, we hit some pretty decent snow, including some stop and go traffic. I was a bit nervous that there would be a time we needed to stop because of traffic, and we wouldn't be able to go again. Definitely need to get some tire chains for the car (or take my Jeep next time.) Thankfully, other than some slipping, sliding, a lot of stopping, and delays at the tunnel; we made it home fine. Everyone else made it home fine too.
Overall, it was one of the best, if not THE best, weekend I've had in Ouray. Even though the weather was a little snowy (we got new snow on the climbs each day, so there was lots of clearing the snow off routes, and snow falling down your back / sleeves, etc), it was still a great temperature. (I've climbed there in much worse...) Since we had the three groups, there was always a great selection of climbing available; and fantastic company when you weren't climbing.
Hope you enjoy the
pics!
A.J.
Photos: http://www5.snapfish.com/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=3272979007/a=38054161/
Group Room (multiple albums): http://ajoutdoors.snapfish.com/snapfish