Colorado/Ouray Guided Ice Climbing
Exhilarating routes for all levels with creature comforts by night make for the perfect winter adventure
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 with our guides. 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 suitable for first time beginners to climbers comfortable on WI5 or harder.
Polish up your skills before doing a tour with the intro course and intermediate ice and mixed course and get fine-tuned for the areas arm pumping, calve burning classics.
Enjoy classic multi-pitch ice climbs in the Ouray and Telluride backcountry for a grand finale to your winter adventure..
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Trip Perks
Nothing better after a hard day of ice climbing than some creature comforts. In the evenings, climbers can enjoy fine dining, a soak in the Ouray Hot Springs and the comforts of one of the area’s many Bed-&-Breakfasts. Ouray also is a jumping off point for other outdoor adventures making a multi-sport vacation a reality. 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. If you hit the weather right, a 2‑day desert rock climbing extension can round out your adventure!
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Ouray / Telluride Classics
Ouray Ice Park:
- Kindergarten WI2
- Teacher’s Pet WI2+
- Professor Chaos WI2+
- Mr. Hankey WI2+
- Frozen World WI2‑3
- Report Card WI2‑3
- Mongo’s Park WI3
- Dunce WI3
- Miller Time WI3‑4
- Recess WI3‑4
- Tangled up in Blue WI3+/4
- Pick o’ the Vic WI4
- Paranoia WI5
- Duncan’s Delight WI5
- Tic Tac WI4+ / M6
Ouray Telluride Backcountry:
- Bear Creek Falls WI2‑4
- Dexter Slab WI3+
- The Charmin Tube WI3+/4
- Chockstone Chimney WI3/4
- Ames Falls WI3‑4
- The Ribbon WI3/4
- Horsetail Falls WI4
- Slip Slidin’ Away WI4
- Skylight WI4+ / M4
- Choppo’s Chimney WI4+
- Cornet Falls WI4/5
- Gravity’s Rainbow WI5 / M1
- Bridal Veil Falls WI5+
- Bird Brain Boulevard WI5 / M5
- Ames Ice Hose WI5 / M6
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Eats & Sheets
Nestled in the San Juan’s, the small mountain town or Ouray offers some great dining and accommodation options during your stay. If you’re looking for a nice steak, or you just want to soak in the mountain views from the comfort of your hotel hot tub, Ouray has you covered! Relaxing in town post ice climbing day just adds to the experience.
Some great hotel options with varying locations and amenities in town are the Box Canyon Lodge, the China Clipper Inn, and the Ouray Inn.
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Have a Question? Contact Us!
Price
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Colorado/Ouray Ice Climbing
from $350 – Per Day
- 1:1 - $525 per person
- 2:1 - $375 per person
- 3:1 - $350 per person
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Price Includes
- Group climbing equipment
- Guide services
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Price Does Not Include
- Airfare
- Transportation
- Hotel accommodations
- Meals
- All personal equipment
- Guide gratuities
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Payment Schedule
- Full payment at time of registration by credit card, which includes $200 non-refundable registration fee
Dates
Climbs are Arranged on a Custom Basis — Contact Us
Policies
Cancellation / Refund Policy
- MMI strongly recommends trip cancellation/interruption and evacuation insurance for all trips. Our insurance partner, Ripcord, offers comprehensive travel insurance including trip cancellation, as well as rescue/evacuation policies and can assist in answering any questions. In addition, Participant is expected to have sufficient medical insurance as prescribed by their country of origin. Participant understands that MMI does not include any type of insurance with the cost of the trip.
- If you decide to cancel your trip or change your itinerary, MMI must be notified in writing. Your trip will be cancelled from the date written notice is received. If proper written cancellation notice is not received, amounts paid and reservations made will be forfeited.
- Non-refundable fees may apply for certain trips in order to secure permits and other services. MMI must strictly adhere to cancellation policies outside MMI’s control.
- Due to the personalized service we offer on our trips, MMI reserves the right to waive any fees. We will attempt to accommodate changes and cancellations, waiving certain fees when feasible.
- Circumstances outside the control of MMI and its partners, may require amended cancellation/refund policies. Such circumstances may include, but are not limited to COVID-19, natural disasters, wildfires, terrorism and so forth.
Domestic Trips/Courses:
- Full refund, less the non-refundable registration fee, will be provided 91 days or more before the departure date
- No refunds will be provided 90 days or less before the departure date
Trip Insurance
We strongly recommend the purchase of travel cancellation insurance to protect you from the unexpected. You aren’t likely to think of it now, but people do get ill, break a bone, have a family emergency or get assigned to a last-minute business trip. If you are in remote areas, please note that emergency rescue & evacuation can be very expensive.
We also strongly urge you to consider rescue and evacuation insurance if your own policy does not provide the coverage needed. Services available may include, but are not limited to, helicopter evacuation, medical care, etc.
If you choose not to purchase insurance, you assume full responsibility for any expenses incurred in the event of a medical emergency and/or evacuation, as well as for trip cancellation, interruption, lost luggage, etc. We are not the experts and therefore ask that you please consult our travel insurance partner directly with any specific questions.
To protect against losses due to illness, accident, or other unforeseen circumstances, Mountain Madness strongly recommends the purchase of travel insurance as soon as possible after making a deposit. Mountain Madness has partnered with Redpoint Resolutions as our preferred travel insurance provider. Redpoint’s Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ is designed for adventurers.
For a quote, or to purchase travel insurance, please click this link Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ or call +1 – 415-481‑0600. Pricing varies based on age, trip cost, trip length, and level of coverage.
Critical benefits of Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance include:
- A completely integrated program with a single point of contact for emergency services, travel assistance, and insurance claims
- Evacuation and rescue services from your point of injury or illness to your hospital of choice
- Comprehensive travel insurance for trip cancellation/interruption, primary medical expense coverage, baggage loss or delay, emergency accident and emergency sickness medical expense, emergency dental, accidental death and dismemberment, and more
- Optional security evacuation coverage in case of an unplanned natural disaster or other security events
- Waiver for pre-existing conditions (must be purchased within 14 days of tour deposit)
- Optional “Cancel for Any Reason” coverage (must be purchased within 14 days of tour deposit)
Itinerary
Flight Information
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.
Colorado Ice Climbs Day by Day
We will meet at your hotel at a pre-arranged time on Day 1 of your trip.
Equipment for Colorado/Ouray Guided Ice Climbing
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Carrying Gear
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Climbing Pack (30L)
30L (2500-3500 cubic inch) with ice tool attachments
Examples:
Black Diamond Speed 30
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Climbing Gear
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Rock climbing harness
comfortable and padded
Examples:
Petzl Adjama, Black Diamond Momentum
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Locking carabiners (2)
Two large, pear-shaped carabiners are best
Examples:
Black Diamond Rock Lock, Petzl William, Petzl Attache
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Non-locking carabiners (2)
2 non-locking carabiners. wired straight-gates are recommended
Examples:
Black Diamond HotWire
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Belay device (plaquette)
Tube style
Examples:
Black Diamond ATC Guide, Petzl Reverso
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Technical mountaineering ice tools (pair)
or single mountaineering ice axe and single technical tool
Examples:
Petzl Sum'Tec, Petzl Quark, Black Diamond Venom, Black Diamond Cobra
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Crampons w/ anti-balling plate (early season - contact for details)
Steel 12-pont. Must be fit to climbing boots prior to trip, new-matic/hybrid type
Examples:
Black Diamond Sabretooth, Petzl Vasak
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Climbing helmet
Lightweight
Examples:
Black Diamond Half Dome, Petzl Elios
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Head and Face
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Fleece or wool hat
It must cover the ears
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Sunglasses
Essential eye protection whether in the tropics or by the water. Look for 100% UVA/UVB protection. Consider bringing a spare pair
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Balaclava or neck gaiter (optional)
lightweight
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Hands
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Light weight work gloves
lightweight gloves with leather palm for rope work
Examples:
Black Diamond Transition Glove
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Mid-weight gloves
1-2 pairs
Examples:
Black Diamond Punisher Glove
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Heavyweight shell glove
Gore-tex or equivalent (trips before July)
Examples:
Black Diamond Enforcer Glove
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Feet
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Thin socks (2 pair)
Two pairs of synthetic or wool socks to wear under heavy wool socks to help prevent blisters and keep feet dry
Examples:
Smartwool or Cool Max
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Thick socks (2 pair)
Two pairs of synthetic or wool socks, medium to heavyweight. Check boot fit with thin and thick socks on
Examples:
Smartwool or Thorlo
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Insulated mountaineering boots (NW)
waterproof, insulated, crampon compatible, full shank boots. Many of these boots have Women specific equivalents (May –late June and Ice Climbs)
Examples:
Scarpa Mt Blanc, Scarpa Phantom Tech, La Sportiva Nepal Evo GTX, Salewa Vulture Vertical GTX
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Gaiters (optional)
Check fit with boots
Examples:
Outdoor Research Verglas or Crocodile
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Upper Body
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Synthetic t-shirts
Two synthetic or merino wool t-shirts. No cotton!
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Sports bras
Two, synthetic, no cotton!
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Long-sleeved Base Layer
Two lightweight to mediumweight, pull-over is best
Examples:
Patagonia Capilene
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Softshell Jacket w/ hood
This is what you will be wearing while hiking at higher altitudes or while kicking around camps at lower altitude. This jacket should be full-zip
Examples:
Outdoor Research Ferrosi
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Light weight synthetic jacket
light weight synthetic puffy or fleece
Examples:
Patagonia Nano Puff jacket
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Hardshell jacket w/ hood
A good jacket made of Gore-Tex (recommended) or waterproof nylon, roomy enough to fit over multiple layers
Examples:
Outdoor Research Foray, Patagonia Triolet
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Sun hoody
This piece with a high SPF rating and lightweight fabric offers protection from high altitude sun
Examples:
Outdoor Research
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Down or synthetic jacket w/hood
This is your most important piece of warm gear and will mean the difference between an enjoyable climb or a miserable one. A warm, full zip jacket with hood is ideal.
Examples:
Helly Hansen Vanir, Feathered Friends Volant, Marmot Guide’s Down Hoody, Outdoor Research Virtuoso Hoody
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Lower Body
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Long base layer
Two pairs light or mediumweight
Examples:
Patagonia Capilene
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Softshell pants
Softshell pants are water resistant, yet highly breathable and durable. Great for colder conditions over a pair of long underwear or tights higher on the mountain or summit day
Examples:
Outdoor Research Voodoo, Mountain Hardwear Touren, Patagonia Guide
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Hardshell pants
waterproof and breathable with side zips (minimum of ¾ zips recommended) Gore-Tex or equivalent
Examples:
Outdoor Research Furio, Arcteryx Beta AR
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Miscellaneous
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Personal first aid kit (NW)
moleskin/blister kit, Band-aids, athletic tape, ibuprofen, personal medications, ect
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Lip balm
Must have SPF rating of 20 or more. Bring two just in case!
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Sunscreen
Bring plenty of sun block with SPF of 40 or more. It's easy to underestimate the amount necessary for your trip!
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Water bottles
two 1 liter wide-mouth water bottles
Examples:
Nalgene
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Small stainless-steel thermos (optional)
For hot beverages on summit day
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Snacks (general)
Bring your favorite snacks and power/energy bars or if there is something else you particularly like to eat while hiking and climbing
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Camera (optional)
or any sort of device that takes pictures
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Book Trip
Colorado/Ouray Ice Climbing
from $350
Per Day
- 1:1 - $525 per person
- 2:1 - $375 per person
- 3:1 - $350 per person
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