Colorado Alpine Climbing Courses

We conduct our alpine climbing and mountaineering courses in the Weminuche Wilderness of the San Juan Mountains. The San Juans typically have the best mountain weather in the United States, allowing us to concentrate on skill acquisition and climbing, not on miserable weather. From our base in Durango we have access to 14 mountains over 14,000 feet and hundreds in the 13,000 foot range. These attributes make the San Juans a fantastic training ground to learn the basics of alpine mountaineering, and to beef up your skills for longer and more technical climbing expeditions throughout the world.

At over 500,000 acres, the Weminuche is Colorado's largest designated wilderness area. It offers some of the best scenery, backpacking, and alpine climbing in the Western US. The area is dominated by two major sub-ranges: The Needle Mountains and the Grenadier Range. The Needle Mountains are home to the popular Chicago Basin and the 14'ers Windom, Eolus, and Sunlight Peaks. The Grenadier Range is home to Vestal, Arrow, and Storm King Peaks among others. Together they offer amazing alpine climbing and the perfect venue to hone your backcountry skill.

2010 Offerings

3 Day Alpine Climbing Intro Course - June - September
A great introduction to alpine mountaineering at altitudes between 11,000 and 13,000 feet. Perfect for those looking for a smooth introduction to alpine climbing and camping with lightweight gear and clothing for ultimate flexibility and safety in the mountains.

4 Day Fast & Light Seminar - May - September
The best course to prepare you for technical alpine mountaineering at altitude in both rock and snow environments. Courses are conducted in Chicago Basin during the months of May and June, and in Vestal Basin during the months of July, August, and September.

8 Day Alpine Climbing Leadership - June - September
The ultimate Colorado Mountain course in the best areas Colorado has to offer. This course will prepare you to lead your own climbing trips in any of our country's major mountain ranges like the Sierras, Tetons, Wind Rivers, North Cascades, and beyond!

Private Instruction and Guiding - Year Round
If the dates of our regularly scheduled courses do not fit your needs or schedule, we offer the ability to tailor the dates and curriculum of the trip to your specific needs. Whether you are looking for 1:1 attention from one of our experienced professional guides, or would like to arrange a trip for a small group, we will work with you to ensure that you achieve the specific goals you've set for yourself regarding your training and skill acquisition.