Ouray & Colorado Ice Climbing

By christopherjwright

I’m Proud to Offer Ice Climbing Courses and Classic Guided Ascents in Ouray this Winter!

OurayIceParkCome join me this winter in Ouray, Colorado for the best ice climbing experience the country has the offer. I’ll be running courses and climbs for every level of experience, whether you’ve never swung a tool and want to learn the basics or are looking to test your skills on some of the finest multi-pitch ice and mixed climbs anywhere.

From December through February, I’ll be working through a partnership with Southwest Adventure Guides of Durango and will be operating throughout the San Juan Mountains of southwestern Colorado from the Ouray Ice Park to the Telluride and Silverton backcountry.

If you’re unfamiliar with the area, the main attraction lies nestled in the Uncompagre Gorge in the sleepy mountain town of Ouray. Historically a mining community, Ouray is now more famous for its annual Ice Festival and the Ice Park where it’s held. The Ouray Ice Park is a mile of box canyon located a few minutes walk from the town’s center, but it’s a world unto itself for anyone interested in ice and mixed climbing. For the last fifteen years the park has evolved into a truly world-class venue as hundreds upon hundreds of climbs have been created by a complex series of pipes and sprinklers set up on the canyon rim.

ByGullyOuray

At present, the park is the nation’s premier ice climbing area and not to be missed. Throughout the winter, climbers of all abilities flock to this climber’s Mecca to sharpen their points, strap on their crampons and indulge their icy fixations.

For the aspiring ice climber, the park offers easy access from airports in Telluride and Montrose and even easier access from any number of accommodations in town located either a five-minute walk or a five-minute drive away. Climbs in the park range from low-angled, easily top-roped flows perfect for anyone interested in getting started and run all the way up to vertical and overhanging pillars and scratchy mixed climbing testpieces. The ice park even has a wall specifically designed for kids interested in getting into the action. Whether you’re looking to learn to climb ice for fun, looking to improve your movement on steep terrain for your next alpine objective or even looking to learn to place ice protection, lead ice or learn modern mixed climbing techniques, this is the place.

The area’s climbing isn’t limited just to the ice park though. The San Juans are also home to a lifetime of backcountry climbing. Some of the area’s classics include Silverton’s Stairway to Heaven, a perfect long, moderate outing, as well as Telluride’s Ames Ice Hose and Bridalveil Falls, routes sure to excite even the most experienced ice climbers. Furthermore, the area’s winter recreation isn’t limited just to ice climbing either. With miles of cross-country trails and snowshoeing at Red Mountain Pass and with Telluride Ski Resort an hour away, the San Juans are a great place to get away for the winter and fun for the whole family.

For rates and information on the various programs available feel free to peruse Southwest Adventure Guides’ website, and be sure to email me directly at chris@timberlinemtguides.com or give a call at (917) 913-1600!

Christopher Wright

My name is Chris Wright and I'm a mountain guide. My short story is that I was born in the UK, grew up in Pennsylvania and live and work year-round as a mountain guide and avalanche educator in Oregon, Alaska, Colorado and points elsewhere. I'm a member of the American Mountain Guides Association, and am a Certified Rock Guide as well as an Alpine Guide Aspirant. I guide mostly technical alpine and rock climbing, with the occasional expedition and ski trip thrown in there. I'm AIARE Level III Certified and instruct AIARE Level I avalanche courses as well.

In the spring I work in Alaska with the Alaska Mountaineering School, in the summer and fall I live in Bend and work for Timberline Mountain Guides, and in the winter you can most likely find me on Orizaba or in Ouray.

At almost all times you can find me with a pack, a rack and a rope pretty close by.

You can check out photos from all of my trips at the Zenfolio link below, and shoot me an email at chris@timberlinemtguides.com if you're interested in putting together a trip to climb in the Oregon Cascades, Washington's North Cascades, Ouray and Silverton ice climbing, or Mexico and Ecuador's volcanos.

I am a Certified Rock Guide with the American Mountain Guides Association. This means that I've achieved the highest possible certification available in the field of rock guiding. Let's go climbing.