3 minute read
CLIMBING & CANYONING
When some people look at the San Juan Mountains, they see some solid sandstone and high-quality quartzite – in other words, a beautiful landscape to scale with the right tools.
Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep
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have soft hooves, instead of harder hooves, which help them climb steep, rocky slopes with ease.
Ouray is an incredible jungle gym for experienced rock climbers. With over 150 routes in the region, and many close to town, access to world-class climbing is literally just outside the door. Variety in the local landscape yields limitless locations for mountaineers to enjoy bouldering, traditional climbing, top roping, sport climbing and free climbing. In addition to classic American mountain climbing, Ouray offers a unique European experience: the Ouray Via Ferrata.
Visitors can also enjoy canyoning in gorges carved by wind and water. Canyoning combines a fabulous combination of climbing, scrambling and repelling in a wetsuit along a path normally taken by the water through the canyon. Canyoning season is limited to when the weather is warm and the water is low, usually from late May to early September.
CLIMBING GUIDES
The sport of rock climbing can be a challenging and exhilarating activity. Dozens of outfitters provide guided experiences for every skill level. Certified guides are professionally trained to help hone advanced skills or instruct beginners through the basics. Guides are not only coaches and teachers, they are also local experts with firsthand knowledge of current conditions. If you forego a guide, look for more information on regional climbing locations and professional tips, purchase the Ouray Rock Climbing Guide at local bookstores.
WHERE TO CLIMB
Rotary Park and The Pool Wall are two locations that offer beginners the best opportunities to expand their skill set. The Pool Wall has a short approach and climbers can choose between a wide variety of routes.
To the west of town, visitors can also climb the Sandias using the Old Twin Peaks Trail for the approach. Climbing Overlook Cliff rewards athletes with gorgeous views of the Uncompahgre River canyon. Access Overlook Cliff from the Sutton Mine Trail. More challenging routes for rock climbers are available along Camp Bird Road at Roadside Attraction and Upper Camp Bird Road.
Ouray Via Ferrata
Ouray’s scenic Uncompahgre Gorge is a popular destination for visitors revelling in vistas and audacious adventure seekers. The Ouray Via Ferrata, constructed in 4,000 feet (three-quarters of a mile) of climbing in the gorge above the roaring rapids of the Uncompahgre River.
A via ferrata, Italian for “iron path,” is a climbing route that uses steel cables, rungs and ladders to allow climbers to secure themselves to the mountain route and limit the risk of falling. Cling to the narrow rock ledge and navigate the iron rungs of the route constructed by worldclass climbers, guides, engineers and rigging professionals. It includes vertical and horizontal sections for interesting and varied movement. The European-style experience in Ouray features unforgettable features such as “Stairway to Heaven” and The Skyladder” and the newly added “Sky Climb.”
Navigating the Ouray Via Ferrata is a free activity available seasonally, but hiring a local guide is recommended for visitors without previous climbing experience. The Ouray Via Ferrata is rated 4b on the Fletcher/ Smith Italian VF Rating System, and it meets or exceeds safety standards outlined by American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) and the European Committee for Standardization. Access to the Ouray Via Ferrata begins at Ice Park Loop trail at the end of the New Funteer access trail.
