Ice is forming in the San Juans

There is a good start to the ice season forming up in the mountains. I was up at Skylight yesterday and the routes have a good bit of wet ice on them. There was a good start to the ribbon and BBB as well. We'll see if it makes it through the next week.

Winter Season is Coming!

Well, the snow is starting to add up in the mountains. It won't be long till we can all start another great season of winter climbing and skiing. I'll get up and make the regular ice preview loop soon and report any ice I find!

In the meantime, keep training. 

I know of one hyper fool who already has like 10 days of drytooling in !

Think Cold Thoughts!

CC

Dolomites 2010: Challenge, Adventure, and History.

Artist's rendition of the famed Tofana di Rozes. This beautiful limestone peak has seen many versions of human struggle. A key strategic point during WWI, the Tofana has also been the home to a history of rock climbing development in Italy. It has classic routes from the early 1900's as well as modern desperate free climbs.

Just returned home from the Dolomite Mountains of Northern Italy. It seems like yesterday I dreamed of being able to guide in such a beautiful and historic range. I've led a bunch of trips there now and they all rank super high on my list of enjoyment.

Bill and I have climbed a lot together over the years, and I was psyched to get to show him what are some of my favorite routes anywhere on the planet. Here is our hit list.

Torri di Falzarego

Cinque Torri: Via Miriam on Torre Grande Cima Sud, and Via Olga on Cima Ovest

Tofana di Rozes: Primo Spigolo

Pomgagnon: Punta Fiames - Spigolo Jori

Tofana di Rozes: Pilastro di Ghedina

Sasso di Stria

Crepe du Oucere Basso

The classic training ground of Cinque Torri, complete with hot tub at the hut.

On top of Torre Grande di Falzarego after completing the awesome south arete traverse of both towers. The Lagazuoi is in the background.

12 pitches up the Spigolo Jori.

Bill grins after cruising the stout UIAA V+ crux on this long classic route.

Just another 2000 foot limestone wall. Can't remember the name, looks like a mini Eiger northwall.

Monte Piau.

Thanks Bill. See you next year! 

Ciao, Clint

Valais Alps 8-Day: Matterhorn, Breithorn, Allalinhorn, Jagihorn, Riffelhorn, and more!

Just returned home from another great trip to the Valais Alps of southern Switzerland. This area is steeped in a long history of alpine sport and a perfect place to enjoy an adventurous mountain holiday!

View of the Matterhorn from our deck on the first day we arrived in Zermatt. A little snowy!

 Jon and Lars came from Colorado for 8 days of climbing on the ridges, crags, and glaciers surrounding Zermatt and Saas Fee. With our eye on the Matterhorn, we starting training and acclimatizing. Our first day we climbed the classic Half-Traverse of the Breithorn.

North Face of the Breithorn. The 1/2 Traverse starts in the saddle on the left, then climbs the three rock steps to the snow arete finish.

The men performed well and we were quickly on top and back to the Klein Matterhorn tram for a ride back down to town.

Past the rock towers with the final snow ridges ahead.

Lars and Jon on the summit with Matterhorn and Dent Blanche in the back.

Day 2: Rock Skills Training on the Riffelhorn!
Beautiful views, good rock, and lots of different routes to work on.

Station Rotenboden: Depart Gornergrat train for Riffelhorn. Our first training route of the day was Skyline 4a on the left edge of the formation.

Route #2 for the day, Thermometer - Egg 5c (french grades!)

Pretty steep for mountain boots on rock, but lots of handholds.

Summit of the Riffelhorn.

View of the Weisshorn from Riffelhorn.

Back to our humble hillside abode in Zermatt. The Matterhorn is getting drier!

Angel Creek Canyoning

Made a nice trip down Angel Creek Canyon this week. Water levels are perfect for exploring the alpine canyons around Ouray. Angel is an idyllic little canyon perfect for the novice canyoneer looking for a quick escape into the canyon reality! Here are some pics of Kevin and I.

Great Article in the Denver Post!

http://www.denverpost.com/recommended/ci_15445181

Canyoning Season!

The water flows in most of the area canyons are starting to taper off. We took a trip down Portland Creek this last week, and it was in very fun condition.