Courses and Guided Climbs
Colorado Ice
Imagine strapping on your crampons, taking your ice tools in hand, and climbing straight up a frozen waterfall. That's just the kind of adventure Mountain Madness has in mind for you during this winter’s ice climbing season. The alpine setting of the San Juan Mountains near the famed towns of Ouray and Telluride, Colorado offers world renowned ice climbing. Combine the easy access and great ice of the Ouray Ice Park (host of the popular Ouray Ice Festival) and numerous backcountry ice climbing opportunities and you have an ideal winter climbing destination. In the evenings, climbers can enjoy fine dinning, a soak in the Ouray Hot Springs and the comforts of one of the area's many Bed-&-Breakfasts.
Courses
2 Day Basic Ice Climbing Course
Our two-day seminar is taught in the Ouray Ice Park. This course is for people with little or no experience on technical waterfall ice climbing. This course is an excellent option for people who aspire to improve their technical climbing skills for steeper snow or ice routes.
Student/Instructor Ratio: 4:1
2011-2012 Dates
December 17-18, 2011
December 26-27, 2011
December 30-31, 2011
January 7-8, 2012
January 21-22, 2012
February 4-5, 2012
2011-2012 Land Cost
(2 days, per person)
$700 (1:1)
$490 (2:1)
$400 (3:1)
$360 (4:1)
Course Curriculum includes:
- Ice climbing movement skills
- Snow and ice anchor selection, construction, and equalization
- Anchor station management
- Ice climbing and crampon usage techniques
- Ice protection
- Rope management
- Rappelling and belaying in an alpine setting
- Multi-pitch climbing techniques
- Hazard assessment including: discussion of objective vs. subjective hazards, assessment of avalanche danger, rock and ice fall dangers
- Discussions include proper clothing and ice climbing equipment for survival in an alpine setting, efficient, safe and self-dependent climbing techniques, and Leave No Trace ethics.
QUALIFICATIONS: Students should know basic climbing skills such as belaying, rappelling and tie-in knots.
2 Day Intermediate Ice Climbing Course
Learn how to lead technical waterfall ice climbing. This course teaches the techniques of multi-pitch ice climbing, placing ice protection, equalized anchor construction and more!
Student/Instructor Ratio: 2:1
2011-2012 Dates:
December 18-19, 2011
January 7-8, 2012
February 4-5, 2012
February 11-12, 2012
2011-2012 Land Cost
(2 days, per person)
$700(1:1)
$490 (2:1)
Intro to Mixed Climbing
Our guides have been regularly competing in the famed Ouray Ice Festival held each January. Ouray has been at the forefront of mixed climbing in the U.S. and is an excellent training ground for this unique sport. Join one of our local guides and get a taste for some mixed action!
Land Cost
Custom Pricing applies. Please call for details.
Guided Climbs
2 Day San Juan Backcountry Sampler
Enjoy classic ice climbs in the Ouray and Telluride backcountry. Possible climbs include Skylight, The Ribbon, Horsetail, Solar Circus, Ames Falls and Ames Ice Hose, or Gravity's Rainbow to name a few. WI 2-6.
2012 Dates
January 2-3
Jaunary 11-12
January 22-23
February 2-3
February 9-10
2012 Land Cost
(2 days, per person)
$700 (1:1)
$490 (2:1)
Custom Guided Climbs
Maximize your learning. Pick your own dates and routes!
2012 Cost
$350/day (1:1)
$245/day (2:1)
$200/day (3:1)
$180/day (4:1)
Included in cost:
- Group climbing equipment
- Guide services
Not included in cost:
- Airfare
- Hotel accommodations
- Transportation
- Meals
- Guide gratuities
- Personal equipment
General Ouray Information
How to get there:
Ouray is located in the SW corner of the state of Colorado. The airport nearest Ouray is approximately 40 miles away in Montrose, Colorado. If you fly, plan on arriving the day before the course begins. Rental Cars are available at the Montrose airport.
What to bring:
You will be provided with a complete equipment list upon registration for this trip. Ouray's San Juan Mountain Guides (SJMG) has great rental gear and can be reached at: info@ourayclimbing.com or 970-325-4925. Some equipment can also be rented from the Ouray Mountain Shop. Their address is: 722 Main Street. Phone: 970-325-4284. We are happy to facilitate rentals from either of these outfits on your behalf.
Accommodations:
Participants are responsible for hotel and meal expenses. Mountain Madness recommends several B&B and Lodges:
- Ouray Victorian Inn ($65-$120; 800-846-8729)
- China Clipper Inn ($70-$165; 800-315-0565)
- Manor B & B ($70-$95; 800-628-6946)
- Box Canyon Lodge & Hot Springs ($65-$110; 800-327-5080) offers shuttle service from/to the Montrose airport if you stay 3 days or longer
- Comfort Inn ($39-$120; 800-438-5713) may offer Montrose airport shuttle service for a slight fee
Where to meet:
We will meet at your hotel at a pre-arranged time on day one of your trip.
About Ouray:
Ouray is a wonderful little town nestled in the heart of the San Juan Mountains or Colorado. Ouray offer access to an abundance of outdoor sports. For those interested in skiing, either before or after the course, it's a short drive to the ski slopes of Telluride Ski Resort. Two hours from Ouray there is brilliant desert rock climbing in the areas surrounding Moab, Utah. A 2-day desert rock climbing extension can round out your adventure!
