Andy Burr and I somewhere on the Steitend, Norway!
Mike on "good evans", Mt Evans
Mike crying for his mommy at Mt. Evans.
Piz at the top of the wall before the rappells.
Mike in full pose down looking into the abyss below.Finally the weather has been a bit more stable around the Denver area.
I was able to get out and climb on the Black Wall on Mt Evans at 13500ft.
"Denver" Mike (as I refer to him) met at 5am to get an early start on his first time on the alpine rock climbing wall. Not really a big wall because it only yields 3 pitch routes, but a real alpine experience none-the-less. When we exited the truck at about 6am the winds were blowing as the sun was barely rising above the eastern ridges. We waited a few minutes because Mike forgot to bring warm clothing. When we began, the wind was ripping. Our first steps were easy as the terrain to the climb is flat, but a few minutes later we were quickly gaining altitude and feeling the affects of less oxygen. Thirty minutes later, we stood at the edge of the wall and were getting ready to rap into the route. It's nice because the hike will make you breath hard but not actually wear your out. Typically alpine route approaches will destroy you before you even get to climb, not at Mt Evans.
I was able to get out and climb on the Black Wall on Mt Evans at 13500ft.
"Denver" Mike (as I refer to him) met at 5am to get an early start on his first time on the alpine rock climbing wall. Not really a big wall because it only yields 3 pitch routes, but a real alpine experience none-the-less. When we exited the truck at about 6am the winds were blowing as the sun was barely rising above the eastern ridges. We waited a few minutes because Mike forgot to bring warm clothing. When we began, the wind was ripping. Our first steps were easy as the terrain to the climb is flat, but a few minutes later we were quickly gaining altitude and feeling the affects of less oxygen. Thirty minutes later, we stood at the edge of the wall and were getting ready to rap into the route. It's nice because the hike will make you breath hard but not actually wear your out. Typically alpine route approaches will destroy you before you even get to climb, not at Mt Evans.
On Sunday, I took the time to check out a sport climbing area that I hadn't ever visited called the Monestary. It lies just west of Loveland, Colorado at about 8500ft in elevation.
The schist and granite that makes up the area climbs like the Black Hills in South Dakota and like super smooth and crimpy, blank granite slabs. While attempting to onsight routes you get to enjoy the view of Colorado's most famous climbing 14er Longs Peak. By the end of the day, I had climbed a great variety of routes from steep overhanging pumpfests to crimpy crystal pinching routes. I barely had any skin left on my fingertips and was already looking forward to next weekends adventures.
Enjoy the pictures!
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