Spring Break Destination

Hello all. I am looking for a spring break destination for the first week of March. Traveling from Indiana. Would it be dumb to drive all the way to Lander this time of year? Any ideas of destinations would be great. My goal is to be west and on rock.

For the thousandth time on this forum: if you want any useful advice about a destination, you are going to have to provide some information about what you are looking for, especially with regard to grade and style of climb. Based on your profile, I'll assume that you are looking for bolted routes in the 5.10 and under range.

While Lander might be climbable, there are better options with more reliable weather at that time of year. Sinks can be great, in the sun, at that time of year...or it can be freezing and dumping snow. A bit of wind could ruin your fun. Either way, camping will be very cold. I would generally choose to avoid Wyoming in early March.

Classic spring break destinations might include J-Tree, Bishop, S. Utah, Red Rocks, etc. These will probably all get suggested down-thread. All of these, however, are rather far from Indiana; probably a bit far too drive for spring break.

Your best bet, then, is Shelf Road, CO. It is one of the closest western crags to the mid west; mostly a straight shot on I-70. It offers climbing that, in some ways, is quite similar to Lander; vertical-ish limestone sport climbing on edges and pockets. 5.9-5.10 is very well represented there; better than at many sport areas (better than Lander). The cliffs get a lot of sun, and the climate is generally warmer and drier than much of the Rockies. The scenery is expansive, and you'll get that "western" feel you are looking for. The camping is excellent. There is a recent, high quality guidebook; buy it. Although it still can storm, it is generally, a good spring break destination, and probably the most reliable weather that you will find, short of driving to California.

Also, from Indiana, a drive south and east to the Red, Chattanooga, or North Carolina would offer various choices for good climbing at a shorter drive. Even Arkansas could be a good destination. All of these ares, of course, are subject to issues of rain.

Im into pushing 11d sport rang and starting to push into 5.10 trad. I haven't updated my profile in a while. Im also in the v3/4 range for bouldering. Im looking more for gear then bolts. but down for any rock. Id like to go father then the red, on account of that being my weekend trip destinaitons

SteveBSU wrote:Im into pushing 11d sport rang and starting to push into 5.10 trad. I haven't updated my profile in a while. Im also in the v3/4 range for bouldering. Im looking more for gear then bolts. but down for any rock. Id like to go father then the red, on account of that being my weekend trip destinaitons

I would go for red rocks and just fly into Vegas probablly cheaper than driving to colorado or those other places atleast if you drive a gas guzzler.

havent been to Indian Creek yet but i would say that Lumpy Ridge in Estes is Stellar. And when you have a bad day and want to clip bolts they are just up the road. but stellar stuff in Estes. Just my 2 cents.

Red Rocks because it is "out West" and has both great trad and sport to offer. And, most likely, the temps will be good.

Or you could split time between Shelf to clip bolts and the South Platte to plug gear.

Lumpy Ridge the first week of March? Uh, no.

Allegiant Air flies from South Bend direct to Vegas for about $300 round-trip.

Andrew Gram wrote:Lumpy Ridge the first week of March? Uh, no.

JCM wrote: Agreed with you there, Andrew. It is really remarkable how many people who give destination advice on this site have no understanding whatsoever of seasons.