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Ice Climbing in Ouray with Mountain Madness

If the Skiing is Bad, Go Ice Climbing

Marc RipĀ­pergĀ­er vetĀ­erĀ­an ice climbĀ­ing guide reportĀ­ing in from Ouray, ColĀ­orado. Despite a slow start to the snow year in the NorthĀ­west and RockĀ­ies there is always good ice here in Ouray, ColĀ­orado. While the turns in the backĀ­counĀ­try and on piste are less then ideĀ­al, it is a great time to break out the ice tools and swing them here in Ouray. 

Marc RipĀ­pergĀ­er photo

Jake CarĀ­man and I had a great sevĀ­erĀ­al days here in Ouray. We enjoyed some of the high presĀ­sure I think everyĀ­one is expeĀ­riĀ­encĀ­ing. Lucky for the cold night here in ColĀ­orado the ice was in perĀ­fect conĀ­diĀ­tion. Jake and I ticked off many of the clasĀ­sics here in Ouray. We visĀ­itĀ­ed the famed Ouray Ice Park to get warmed up then took our refreshed skills up on CampĀ­bird road. The highĀ­light of our trip being our ascent of the San Juan test piece Bird Brain BouleĀ­vard, with over 1,200 feet of physĀ­iĀ­cal ice and mixed climbĀ­ing this climb is truĀ­ly a big underĀ­takĀ­ing and proud accomĀ­plishĀ­ment for any alpine climber. ConĀ­grats Jake! 

Marc RipĀ­pergĀ­er photo

ClimbĀ­ing is always the highĀ­light here in Ouray but the addiĀ­tion of hot springs and good food is always an added bonus to the climbĀ­ing. Not everyĀ­body will have their sights set on Bird Brain but there are plenĀ­ty of backĀ­counĀ­try ice climbs and ice park climbĀ­ing action here for beginĀ­ner to advanced climbers.

~ MM Guide Marc Ripperger

Marc RipĀ­pergĀ­er photo