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Ouray Ice Climbing is in!
You may hear a joke that goes something like this; “ice climbing is one person being scared and one person being cold.” While this can be the case when pushing limits, ice climbing can also be a fun and mostly comfortable way to experience the winter environment.
Written by MM guide Jesse Selwyn/photos below Selwyn collection/image above by Anna Nicole Arteaga
Glancing up high to see a frozen path cascading down a cliff band can be as exciting as any untracked bowl of powder. Following the sound and feeling of ice tools finding solid placement in blue water ice often becomes addicting for those who give it a try. Then there’s the mountain doors that open once ice climbing is added to your skillset: the North Ridge of Mt. Baker, North Face of Shuksan, the Moose’s Tooth in Alaska, Alpamayo in Peru, and many others.
![approaching the Ouray ice park](https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/approaching-the-Ouray-ice-park-o4.f1670264174.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1826&q=80&w=2200&s=724403e601513f1d75ea4bd717ee3eb8 2200w 1826h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/approaching-the-Ouray-ice-park-o4.f1670264174.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1660&q=80&w=2000&s=406b99b9ad07fa642330aa1dad9904e6 2000w 1660h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/approaching-the-Ouray-ice-park-o4.f1670264174.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1494&q=80&w=1800&s=758aab5b6fff3c4e00809b2d0d0c872f 1800w 1494h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/approaching-the-Ouray-ice-park-o4.f1670264174.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1328&q=80&w=1600&s=c96402fdba7242afb6d48adaee2e39cc 1600w 1328h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/approaching-the-Ouray-ice-park-o4.f1670264174.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1162&q=80&w=1400&s=c4d53fb6b3a1c26beb79e6793efdde69 1400w 1162h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/approaching-the-Ouray-ice-park-o4.f1670264174.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=996&q=80&w=1200&s=3f0cb4d682430465d26a3ddfe67fdf7a 1200w 996h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/approaching-the-Ouray-ice-park-o4.f1670264174.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=830&q=80&w=1000&s=5eeb51b9edd39850ac2e6721fbd84927 1000w 830h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/approaching-the-Ouray-ice-park-o4.f1670264174.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=664&q=80&w=800&s=34f6ab498659fc2a0c700816a0411bdc 800w 664h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/approaching-the-Ouray-ice-park-o4.f1670264174.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=498&q=80&w=600&s=699f7136c8862ee1b1a3d9417598094c 600w 498h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/approaching-the-Ouray-ice-park-o4.f1670264174.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=332&q=80&w=400&s=13f271d0f6adc83fee101f69087e3260 400w 332h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/approaching-the-Ouray-ice-park-o4.f1670264174.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=166&q=80&w=200&s=90e04bf0bb3486dcd3068ea472126185 200w 166h)
![Easy access and great ice with Mountain Madness guides in Ouray Colorado](https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/o5.f1670264220.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1826&q=80&w=2200&s=51dc25839525b74ace5e0c71372fb79c 2200w 1826h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/o5.f1670264220.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1660&q=80&w=2000&s=3d89a2c1be6e84d428ec29a2d4fc1bd8 2000w 1660h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/o5.f1670264220.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1494&q=80&w=1800&s=bc357206c93a28a7320e8b7d9b7b44b1 1800w 1494h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/o5.f1670264220.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1328&q=80&w=1600&s=d7dc0aec03aa4c350c109be7a1e49721 1600w 1328h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/o5.f1670264220.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1162&q=80&w=1400&s=90d1964e58c37edcace2078ae87dde00 1400w 1162h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/o5.f1670264220.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=996&q=80&w=1200&s=992b277ea82f5841113f807c8766a017 1200w 996h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/o5.f1670264220.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=830&q=80&w=1000&s=89e131bfb57b37178e43bd020ec9f993 1000w 830h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/o5.f1670264220.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=664&q=80&w=800&s=279141fe48b8b3a442c9d4f5ac5de2de 800w 664h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/o5.f1670264220.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=498&q=80&w=600&s=f4fc86c450384b700777e49a99c4a6c9 600w 498h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/o5.f1670264220.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=332&q=80&w=400&s=8b993c9c29f392d5594ceb7f104747b0 400w 332h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/o5.f1670264220.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=166&q=80&w=200&s=1f4bdef2d74975b2bf4c115f3135cc9f 200w 166h)
Learning to ice climb does require ice and lots of it. The best place to find an abundance of ice to climb at any difficulty is in the small town of Ouray, CO. Sitting at the base of the San Juan Mountains in the southwest corner of the state, Ouray is home to the world famous Ouray Ice Park. Starting in November, the park’s mad scientists aka Ice Farmers, begin running over 250 showerheads above the Uncompahgre River Gorge to create over 150 ice climbs and is open from mid-December through mid-March every year. There is terrain in the park to suit climbers at every ability, be it their first time wearing crampons and holding an ice tool to professionals looking to test themselves on vertical ice pillars. It’s also an excellent place to spend a day brushing up on your skills before heading into the local backcountry to ascend some of the dozens of climbs that include world renown classics such as Stairway to Heaven and Whorehouse Hoses.
Some Mountain Madness courses and climbs for you in Ouray:
Courses — from beginner to advanced mixed rock and ice instruction, we have it all for you
Guided Ice Climbing — push your limits and tick off some area classics with our guides
![Ice climbing the frozen waterfall of Coloroado](https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/o6.f1670264255.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1833&q=80&w=2200&s=43451c035cad62f2925c240fae4ff67b 2200w 1833h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/o6.f1670264255.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1667&q=80&w=2000&s=068850d15018d853e64c33a844a9affd 2000w 1667h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/o6.f1670264255.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1500&q=80&w=1800&s=eff0f0d59ca8ca3ed859410b09976721 1800w 1500h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/o6.f1670264255.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1333&q=80&w=1600&s=2cd2e2d7b411ffbc04c69c04cb58e384 1600w 1333h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/o6.f1670264255.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1167&q=80&w=1400&s=55c85425b48411995e629b3df9f9fb08 1400w 1167h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/o6.f1670264255.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1000&q=80&w=1200&s=aad7b50ea5e74c92fd093dc5cfccdd44 1200w 1000h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/o6.f1670264255.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=833&q=80&w=1000&s=a5d64462f56622d6d01299e77a1b77e1 1000w 833h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/o6.f1670264255.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=667&q=80&w=800&s=a23f59b13dffc0a07f6865c1a28acdc2 800w 667h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/o6.f1670264255.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=500&q=80&w=600&s=a2a8c4561677ed3486e44f24aa6bd388 600w 500h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/o6.f1670264255.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=333&q=80&w=400&s=49f1af50bc282211089ff6654a5b667d 400w 333h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/o6.f1670264255.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=167&q=80&w=200&s=fc1181f731432ccfc4751e90ab643e34 200w 167h)
![Mixed rock and ice climbing in Ouray Colorado with Mountain Madness guides](https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/o1.f1670264286.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1833&q=80&w=2200&s=4b640207d99e33785492dda512e4f54c 2200w 1833h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/o1.f1670264286.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1667&q=80&w=2000&s=a9708f2addd01e2db1ce11224c8d72e2 2000w 1667h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/o1.f1670264286.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1500&q=80&w=1800&s=abb8eb9d662f3617886a4f02abb32b27 1800w 1500h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/o1.f1670264286.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1333&q=80&w=1600&s=5a16ccb41067bd689b5672c4a38556fa 1600w 1333h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/o1.f1670264286.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1167&q=80&w=1400&s=0ee5de616b55acb8decd389bb88715ba 1400w 1167h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/o1.f1670264286.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1000&q=80&w=1200&s=09582c3444ef3ed7ee5977037e5e5bcf 1200w 1000h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/o1.f1670264286.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=833&q=80&w=1000&s=342eaa10644f832b1604facfd0791d81 1000w 833h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/o1.f1670264286.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=667&q=80&w=800&s=3532c47b020ac9781e34bf6f7a31497b 800w 667h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/o1.f1670264286.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=500&q=80&w=600&s=b51b2177fc6471c04694c8639c8c5926 600w 500h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/o1.f1670264286.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=333&q=80&w=400&s=553939658ff0ad58d3d3c6db49ac93a1 400w 333h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/o1.f1670264286.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=167&q=80&w=200&s=7029203cb6f9c86e5901d46e4e080aab 200w 167h)
While small, Ouray’s hot springs, chocolate shop, breweries, and restaurants provide a great apres-climb atmosphere. Then there is the Ouray Ice Festival that occurs over 4 days in the second half of January every year. This features clinics with guides and professional climbers, a mixed climbing competition, raffles, slideshows, and other ice climbing related fun.
Need we say more!
![Ice climbing in Ouray Colorado ice park and backcountry with Mountain Madness](https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/o3.f1670264337.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1833&q=80&w=2200&s=433309e6474dbfb009432143701581d0 2200w 1833h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/o3.f1670264337.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1667&q=80&w=2000&s=1a78741dc766cb1c86a15632efc8562f 2000w 1667h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/o3.f1670264337.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1500&q=80&w=1800&s=b49da14ab84715254b1ef1edf03fcab7 1800w 1500h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/o3.f1670264337.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1333&q=80&w=1600&s=126a5d7acc31e9862969b262f557d562 1600w 1333h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/o3.f1670264337.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1167&q=80&w=1400&s=f456544357ba5a002cd3bb9d8832f467 1400w 1167h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/o3.f1670264337.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1000&q=80&w=1200&s=9ece67e5b82738bbebf7976ab1a24138 1200w 1000h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/o3.f1670264337.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=833&q=80&w=1000&s=aaf0444a186af4b443e0fa9027d2086b 1000w 833h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/o3.f1670264337.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=667&q=80&w=800&s=af738d92c82901df1ed74a801e0eff5a 800w 667h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/o3.f1670264337.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=500&q=80&w=600&s=09b83d3ce43368e7ab874c25302a83da 600w 500h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/o3.f1670264337.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=333&q=80&w=400&s=57d20b550a65296ca27b786f6b667e75 400w 333h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/o3.f1670264337.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=167&q=80&w=200&s=547a54904c4174d76409c01e94bce268 200w 167h)
![Advanced ice climbing in Colorado in Ouray and backcountry with Mountain Madness](https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/o2.f1670264366.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1833&q=80&w=2200&s=ff5bb2c44a833811cddc61e6064de167 2200w 1833h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/o2.f1670264366.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1667&q=80&w=2000&s=dd801511f3b5cbe258eb9978f193a0bd 2000w 1667h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/o2.f1670264366.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1500&q=80&w=1800&s=43c7429b0c0196f2c3e6c0e4023e51f7 1800w 1500h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/o2.f1670264366.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1333&q=80&w=1600&s=6a88769531c4b0521ab44f937d113caf 1600w 1333h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/o2.f1670264366.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1167&q=80&w=1400&s=4a217d6cf51e2ad8d1e3b95a380815ca 1400w 1167h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/o2.f1670264366.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1000&q=80&w=1200&s=31daa8ad822eb6f9a8029d563fbe7987 1200w 1000h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/o2.f1670264366.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=833&q=80&w=1000&s=d8cf1285d9025874d0395371e83eadb5 1000w 833h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/o2.f1670264366.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=667&q=80&w=800&s=3a5f86d8c1c04f72e3eb9e50d5777f90 800w 667h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/o2.f1670264366.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=500&q=80&w=600&s=61cd1cdf56f91b0d3929d9387950703d 600w 500h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/o2.f1670264366.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=333&q=80&w=400&s=591fec923fca570ae987d48b11ddce30 400w 333h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/o2.f1670264366.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=167&q=80&w=200&s=f13c3ba9e3bbf4af9e582e7c0811dc55 200w 167h)
![Ouray hotsprings to soak in after ice climbing](https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/ouray.f1670264388.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1833&q=80&w=2200&s=dac5c68483e4e11ae6fe84842cf4741d 2200w 1833h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/ouray.f1670264388.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1667&q=80&w=2000&s=78954f21551a014d9f767c88757c5ea3 2000w 1667h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/ouray.f1670264388.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1500&q=80&w=1800&s=f1cde49d83d3550e609f9677d38e1d31 1800w 1500h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/ouray.f1670264388.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1333&q=80&w=1600&s=99d821ecdef4c6abd635d78f372933be 1600w 1333h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/ouray.f1670264388.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1167&q=80&w=1400&s=317f108fbb02bc59bb39c31132aa947a 1400w 1167h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/ouray.f1670264388.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1000&q=80&w=1200&s=bcb0580ffbe36d6fe5f1bc386186ee03 1200w 1000h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/ouray.f1670264388.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=833&q=80&w=1000&s=18446577f8fee6545ab068d0606647c3 1000w 833h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/ouray.f1670264388.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=667&q=80&w=800&s=35b1fd3a8f746b5771edd451cbac8b77 800w 667h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/ouray.f1670264388.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=500&q=80&w=600&s=706b53ab05c9d7e0cf50d5c16fbfc50c 600w 500h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/ouray.f1670264388.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=333&q=80&w=400&s=b98a83a5bf72688b8fff07097909a032 400w 333h, https://mountain-madness.imgix.net/general-images/ouray.f1670264388.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=167&q=80&w=200&s=fe5630954b8754364d0ee71545787a7b 200w 167h)
Notes from a guide:
What’s the average day look like when you come to climb in Ouray?
Most days begin around 7:30, when we’ll meet and go over gear to make sure everything fits and you’ve got enough warm layers. After that, we’ll walk into the OIP and get to climbing! This usually starts with a few laps on top-rope and basic instruction to get the blood flowing before progressing to more in depth training depending on your goals. We’ll wrap up around 3 or 4pm, then rest up for the next day!
What’s a Mountain Madness guide’s favorite route to share with guests?
There’s a local, semi-secret climb named the Charmin Tube that is hidden in a rock amphitheater just above town. It’s 2 long pitches separated by a hike in a slot canyon and a few smaller ice steps. Then we rappel back down. It’s a great intro to backcountry ice climbing!