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Swedish outdoorsman/climber heading to Colorado around June/July

Original Post
Henry Tang Kai · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Feb 2011 · Points: 5

Hi all!

I have some questions about going there, it would great if any of you had the
time to answer a few.

I'm a 26-year old climber and outdoorsman. I love camping, bouldering, water,
cycling, and just about any outdoor activities that contrast greatly
from city life and society.
I was interested in getting up Mt. Elbert, visiting Bluejohn canyon,
Boulder and perhaps the Rocky Mountains. I'd be staying for about a
month.

During my stay I plan on camping in a tent (avoiding the hostels and motels)

1. Could you recommend some areas I should visit?
2. Are there any precautions I should take with regards to poisonous
wildlife or other unpredictables.
3. Do you know of any cheap ways to get from Denver to a good starting
point?
4. Would you happen to know any people who'd be there during June of
this year? It would be nice to find some climbing partners.

Any information of your experiences there would be much appreciated!

Kindest,
Henry

Henry Tang Kai · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Feb 2011 · Points: 5

Thanks John, your answers are great! I hope the scenery lives up to the Google images.

I'd like to rent a bicycle if they're reasonably priced. Or perhaps buy a used one if it's worth it to have for a month or so.

As for climbing gear:
I can bring shoes, harness, stoppers, camming devices, quick draws, belay device, slings... rope on the other hand adds a lot of bulk for backpacking, I could bring one (196 foot long) if renting isn't an option.

How's the area look for bolts and anchors?

Mike Lane · · AnCapistan · Joined Jan 2006 · Points: 880
Henry Tang Kai wrote: How's the area look for bolts and anchors?
Within a 3 hour drive from Denver/Boulder there is at least 4000 bolted routes. You are coming to an area which probably has the world's largest concentration of rock climbers.
Be sure to put Devils Head/Thunder Ridge in your plans. Visit their pages here and take note how many stars each route has. 3 and over mean the route is a blast
Mike Lane · · AnCapistan · Joined Jan 2006 · Points: 880
Devils Head

Thunder Ridge

The Monastery

Clear Creek

Shelf Road

Plus Boulder Canyon, the ridges on Eldorado Mountain, Table Mountain, Red Rock Canyon Open space,.....
Factor in Trad Climbing and the list expands exponentially, add sleeping overnight for travel and the list gets up to the tens of thousands.....
Scott McMahon · · Boulder, CO · Joined Feb 2006 · Points: 1,425

It would be easier to write a list of places NOT to visit. There's SO much to do here!! But these guys have got you started in the right direction, and partners are relatively easy to find there are so many of us climbers here.

FYI - Here's a thread with links to threads on camping in Boulder. There's not much, but you should find any available info posted multiple times within these threads.

mountainproject.com/v/color…

Oh and I really recommend climbing trad at Lumpy Ridge and RMNP.

Jim Gloeckler · · Denver, Colo. · Joined Jul 2004 · Points: 25

Henry,

If you would tell others the difficulty level of climbs you are comfortable with for both leading and following, it would be easier to find potential partners that match up well with you.

Also you might want to make both a plan of action/rest and a back-up plan so that you get the most out of your stay. Have a great time while you are here.

Henry Tang Kai · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Feb 2011 · Points: 5

Thanks for the tip Scott!

I've been climbing for 4 years. As for difficulty: I'm ok with 5'10's on lead (sticking to the 5'10a's and b's on trad at the moment).
I'll be training a lot before heading over so I should be in good condition for the visit.

Mike: those places look awesome.
Climbing wont be the complete focus of the trip, I'd also like to explore scenic areas such as Horseshoe Bend canyon. Are there any tips for these as well?

Mike Lane · · AnCapistan · Joined Jan 2006 · Points: 880

Tips for scenic places? Ummmm.............
Pretty much every square mile West of Interstate 25. Even a bit on the East side too.
Here's just one idea from a land with more than you could see in a lifetime:
Google up "Devils Causeway" Its in the Flat Tops Wilderness, plan on a trip to camp for a night and hike it. Finish that trip off fishing at one of the 1000 trout lakes up there.
Also, since you'll be here in June, take the most challenging raft trip out of Canon City, Buena Vista or Glenwood Springs you can find. That should be during peak snowmelt and the rivers will be fast.

Tim Hadfield · · Steamboat Springs, Co · Joined Sep 2009 · Points: 1,080

Henry, Mike is right about the "Devils Causeway". It's in the NW part of the state, near Steamboat springs. We have a small amount of good climbing here in the 5.10 range and we're not far from Rifle Mtn. Park. great biking as well. hit me up if you get up this way I'll be glad to show you around.

Tim

Henry Tang Kai · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Feb 2011 · Points: 5

How's the weather/temperature around June?

If for example I hike up Mt. Elbert, should I bring proper winter clothing? or would it suffice with fleece?

Kindest,
Henry

Mike Lane · · AnCapistan · Joined Jan 2006 · Points: 880

End of June '14er: insulated rainshell, 2 kinds of hats (sun and wind), solid boots with thick socks, layers of clothes. Mostly its dry with a strong, cold wind, but it could also rain/snow or even be calm and warm.
Its not like a mountaineering snow climb; more of just a long brutal hike.

Henry Tang Kai · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Feb 2011 · Points: 5

Thank you all for the great tips on places to visit!

I've now booked my tickets and will be in the states from June 2nd to July 13th.

If Colorado doesn't occupy all of my time, another option I'm considering is traversing towards Arizona via the Grand Canyon.

I'd love it if any of you Mountain Project people could meet up and climb or hike together, otherwise I'm also looking into meeting up with people from CouchSurfing.

I appreciate all the help I got here.

Kindest,
Henry

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Colorado
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