A few weekends ago we made a quick trip out to eastern CO for the weekend to meet up with our buddies Ashley and Steven. After flying into Grand Junction, they picked us up and we made our to to Ouray, CO a little tiny town up in the mountains. We found our cute little cabin and met up with friends Ed and Mike who we knew from wedding festivities two years ago. New friends Eva and Trent met up with us the next day.
The weekend was a perfect combo of outdoor adventure, relaxation, great friends, and good food and drink. Unfortunately the camera really only made it out for the outdoor adventure piece.
The highlight of the weekend was our ice climbing adventures. Right on the edge of Ouray, there's a box canyon that is a few miles long, through which the towns water line runs. At some point, the water line had broken, creating some sweet ice. The town leaders must have an awesome sense of adventure (and perhaps entrepreneurial spirit?), because instead of fixing the leak, they decided to tap the line in ~100 places. There's now a few miles of canyon covered with perfect ice, plenty of places to walk up and down, and lots of natural anchors.
Ouray became one of the premier ice climbing destinations in the world, and they were hosting an ice climbing festival the weekend we were there, which meant there was lots of demo gear for free! We showed up with a rope and harnesses, and were able to pick up crampons (the spikes for your shoes), ice tools (the pick ax things), and boots (for those that needed them).
We spent a few hours at it both days, got to try a number of routes, and hone our skills. The basic act of ice climbing is pretty easy - you have spikes on your shoes and axes in your hands, an you just go for it. We watched the speed competitions and were blown away by how fast and nimble the professionals were, but found it a beginner friendly sport too. I hear there is some good ice climbing in WA, but sure wish something like this were closer to home - we loved it!
Sunday afternoon before we left was a stop at the hot springs in town. We had a fantastic time with the crew, loved Ouray, and (as always) can't wait for our next venture back to CO.
The weekend was a perfect combo of outdoor adventure, relaxation, great friends, and good food and drink. Unfortunately the camera really only made it out for the outdoor adventure piece.
The highlight of the weekend was our ice climbing adventures. Right on the edge of Ouray, there's a box canyon that is a few miles long, through which the towns water line runs. At some point, the water line had broken, creating some sweet ice. The town leaders must have an awesome sense of adventure (and perhaps entrepreneurial spirit?), because instead of fixing the leak, they decided to tap the line in ~100 places. There's now a few miles of canyon covered with perfect ice, plenty of places to walk up and down, and lots of natural anchors.
Ouray became one of the premier ice climbing destinations in the world, and they were hosting an ice climbing festival the weekend we were there, which meant there was lots of demo gear for free! We showed up with a rope and harnesses, and were able to pick up crampons (the spikes for your shoes), ice tools (the pick ax things), and boots (for those that needed them).
Spy the climbers?
headed up
ready to roll
hardcore (thats not us)
love the mountains and sunsshine
Ouray
We spent a few hours at it both days, got to try a number of routes, and hone our skills. The basic act of ice climbing is pretty easy - you have spikes on your shoes and axes in your hands, an you just go for it. We watched the speed competitions and were blown away by how fast and nimble the professionals were, but found it a beginner friendly sport too. I hear there is some good ice climbing in WA, but sure wish something like this were closer to home - we loved it!
Matt on the beginner wall
Ed gearing me up
first go
Ash is awesome
Matty
Ash & Eva
Mike killin it belaying
Steven
Speed competition
Expo area
Sunday afternoon before we left was a stop at the hot springs in town. We had a fantastic time with the crew, loved Ouray, and (as always) can't wait for our next venture back to CO.
no words..
Brrr
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