Julie is training to climb Nun and Kun in Kashmir this summer. Julie came up to Durango and climbed with me in January during an Intro to Mountaineering course. She just returned last week for some more. We started out with two days of ice climbing. Day one in Cascade Canyon going over the basics, and day two in Ouray at the Skylight area and a little in the Ice Park. We then headed up to Snowdon to learn some crevasse rescue, how to ascend a fixed line, team rope travel, make a summit bid, and do some winter camping. On the fifth day we made a summit bid, but turned around part way up because of the avalanche conditions. We hiked back to camp, packed up, and were back in Durango by noon so we switched out gear and went rock climbing at X-Rock for a few hours. The last day we headed back to Cascade Cayon for some more ice climbing, before Julie started the drive back to Flagstaff.

Great climbing with you Julie!

BK

In their October newletter, the AMGA highlights some of the issues (and what we as a climbing community can do about them), revolving around the attempt by the National Park Service to ban commercial guiding in The Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. In addition to The Black, the NPS is also attempting to reduce by almost 40% the amount of commercial guiding on Denali.

Essentially, the National Park Service is placing the rights of the independent climber ABOVE the rights of those who would choose to hire the services of a professional guide. In our view, both user groups should be afforded equal treatment and rights by the National Park Service, Forest Service, and Bureau of Land Management.

Please take the time to read further and find out what you can do about it!

Comments due for The Black Canyon NP on October 27.

Comments due for Denali NP on October 31.

National Parks Access Threatened - Important Call to Action!

**************Comments DUE Saturday, 10/27********************

We are deeply concerned about the current threat to guiding access in our country’s National Park System. The Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park wants to completely ban guided climbing, which has a 50-year history in this unique climbing venue. This proposed ban does not only impact this incredible park in Colorado. This is a national threat, which could set a debilitating precedent for guided climbing in National Parks across the country. If you care about preserving wilderness guided climbing access in venues such as Yosemite, Joshua Tree, Rocky Mountain National Park, New River Gorge and other important guiding venues, please read on.

The Black Canyon Backcountry Management Plan wants to ban guiding because “guided climbing does not support the goal for the inner canyon zone of providing a visitor experience that is challenging, self-reliant, and adventurous.” The NPS is making an uncanny argument for why guided climbing is no longer necessary in the Park. Your clients, friends and fellow climbers (who are not guides) need to submit comments to the Park. We have been told that the Park has already heard from guides, and what they really need are comments from the general public and clients.

What can you do now?

1. Email your client list, friends and fellow climbers today urging them to submit a comment by Oct. 27th. Use Facebook, your website, blog and any other communication vehicles to get the word out to your clients.

2. See below for a sample email to your clients, friends and fellow climbers.

It’s in all of our interests to raise awareness and take action on this important issue today. The deadline for comments is Thursday, October 27th. Thank you for supporting the future of the profession in the U.S.

For more information, visit http://parkplanning.nps.gov

___________________________________________________________________________________

The National Park Service wants to ban guided climbing and prohibit members of the public from being able to climb with a professional guide in one of our country’s most adventurous wilderness climbing areas. This is a national threat, which could set a debilitating precedent for guided climbing access in National Parks across the country. We are requesting your urgent support to help preserve guided climbing access in the Black Canyon as well as in other National Parks the U.S.

Here is how you can help:

Send an email to [email protected] today using the talking points below. Our goal is to have 500 people (who are not guides) contact Ken Stahlnecker opposing the Park’s plan to ban guided climbing in the Black Canyon and urging the Park to preserve guiding climbing access in this unique venue.

Dear Ken Stahlnecker,
Chief, Resource Stewardship and Science
National Park Service,
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

I am writing to urge you to keep guided climbing access available to the American public. Along with Yosemite National Park and Red Rocks National Conservation Area, the Black Canyon is one of only a few climbing venues in the country offering big wall climbing opportunities. There is often a scarcity of willing and adequate climbing partners to tackle the bold and remote terrain of the Black. Because climbing requires a team of two unless one is free soloing, my options for experiencing this unique wilderness area will be substantially reduced or eliminated altogether if guided climbing is banned in the Inner Canyon Zone.

Having the option to climb with a professional guide is necessary for me to be able to experience the vertical wilderness in the Black Canyon. Partnering with a professional guide will enhance my opportunity for an experience of adventure, challenge and self-reliance. I see no difference between climbing with a professional guide and climbing with a non-guide partner who happens to be stronger or more experienced than me. It is not uncommon for climbing partners to be of varying levels of experience. Climbing successfully in the Black always requires the self-reliance, commitment and personal fortitude of both climbing partners regardless of their varying experience levels.

Thank you for the opportunity to provide my opinion on this important matter.

Just got off a trip with fellow Michiganders Jen and Charlie. They were on a two week trip to climb and check out locations in Ouray for their upcoming wedding. I got them for four days near the end of their trip.

Day 1:

Climbed Ancient Art, Lizard Rock and two routes at Wall Street.

Day 2:

Chased shade in Indian Creek.

Day 3:

Maiden Voyage in the Black Canyon.

Day 4:

Casually Off-Route in the Black.

It was great climbing with you Jen and Charlie, I hope to see you this winter in Ouray!

BK

Gary had been into Chicago Basin back in the 70’s, and had left with unfinished business. He had climbed Jupiter and Windom but bad weather denied them Eolus and Sunlight. Since the 70’s Gary has climbed peaks all over the North Cascades. When he decided to return to the Weminuche to finish the peaks in Chicago Basin, he wanted to make it a combo trip and visit Vestal Basin as well.

We started out the 7 day trip with a day of rock climbing at East Animas in Durango, finishing day one with a two pitch climb called Angel Dust. Day two we took the train into Elk Park and hiked into Vestal Basin where we were greeted with a great show from two moose. The next morning we woke early and climbed the amazing Wham Ridge on Vestal Peak. On the way down from Vestal we decided it was early enough in the day to climb Arrow Peak as well. The next two days were spent hiking over to Chicago Basin for the second part of the trip. We decided that it was most efficent to climb all the 14,000′ Chicago basin peaks in one day so again we woke early and climbed Eolus then Sunlight and were at 13,800′ on Windom when the weather started coming in and forced us down. Not bad for one day! The final day of this great trip was spent hiking out of Chicago Basin and catching the train to Durango.

Check out some photos below!

BK

New for the fall of 2011 is our 4 Day Desert Climbing Seminar. The seminar adds 2 days to our popular 2 Day Indian Creek Crack Climbing Course and expands on a number of topics including anchoring, protection placement, lead climbing, multi-pitch strategies, self rescue, and other valuable skills that will help you to progress your climbing.

The 4 Day Seminar is scheduled to run Saturday - Tuesday on select weekends in October and November to help us avoid the crowds on popular climbs such as Castleton Tower and other area classics. Days 1 & 2 of the program are spent at Indian Creek, and then days 3 & 4 are spent in the Moab/Castle Valley area.

Join us this fall in perhaps the world’s best cragging destination and find out why climber’s from around the globe make the pilgrimage to Indian Creek and Moab to experience the fantastic climbing, scenery, and camping of the Utah Desert!

Chris flew out from Chicago a week ago to do some cimbing in the Black Canyon.

We had our eyes on a route called the Tourist Route which is usually climbed in 10-14 pitches maxing out at 5.9. For the quality of climbing found on the Tourist Route It surprises me that it doesn’t get more traffic. Believe it or not the tourist route has a surprising amount of face climbing.

Below are some photos of the great day of climbing we had!

BK

We’ve made some changes to the summer Kids Rock! Climbing Program. Parents can now choose to purchase single weeks and/or multi-week combinations to allow for varying schedules and family vacation plans. Check out the flyer and email or call with any questions - or to register your kiddos!

ND

Our first big rock climbing group trip of the season began with a bit of bad weather. Our plans for a great day of climbing at X-Rock with students from The Logan School in Denver, a creative learning school for K - 8 kids were trampled on by the snowy/rainy weather (it’s May 19 by golly!). Luckily, and thanks in large part to the wonderful indoor climbing resources at The Rock Lounge - Durango’s climbing gym.

At lunch, the kids participated in a free form, poetry like, reflection on what they were doing with us today. Here’s what they came up with:

Climbing Spirit Read

Watching people fly

we have climbed high can can see bad weather outside

climbing indoors due to bad weather

I need to push myself past my limit to reach the top

there is always a way to succeed

The possibilities are endless and the world is clear

I feel that climbing makes you push the boundary of endurance and is the meaning of a goal

I really want to think about what I’m about to do before I do it and look ahead

My hands grip the slippery rock before I slip and become one with the ground

My fingers were on fire

that stupid crack

people climb higher and higher

I will achieve this goal by catching myself before I say sorry and reminding myself that I am just learning

I will complete the transition

Climbing is something I love to do all the time and this is the most fun I have ever had

This takes not just physical strength but mental strength also

For the first time ever I have been pushed to do something I’m afraid

Thought we would share with everyone what these kids came up with. Pretty cool!

Check out this flyer for our BRAND NEW Kids Rock Summer Climbing Programs here in Durango, CO. Kids ages 7 - 14+ will have the opportunity to learn about rock climbing from the most qualified guides in Durango, and will get to climb outdoors at places like X-Rock, East Animas, Turtle Lake, and more! More information will be following shortly on our website so stay tuned!