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Relocating to Ridgway

Original Post
Edward Medina · · Ridgway, CO · Joined Nov 2007 · Points: 1,061

I'll be relocating to the Ridgway/Montrose area for a job at Montrose Memorial Hospital in early September. Looking for any suggestions for climbing venues and general socialization. Is there a climbing gym in the area? Where do I find new local partners? Any suggestions welcome.

Randall Chapman · · Grand Junction, CO · Joined Apr 2009 · Points: 1,532

There is no commercial gym but the high schools in both Montrose and Ridgway have walls and community climbing nights during the school year. The Ridgway wall is rad. There are a lot of climbers in the area and finding a partner shouldn't be an issue (more climbers in Ridgway than Montrose). Ouray has a lot of easy access climbing, Ridgway has a little and Montrose has The Black. Your closest commercial gyms are going to be in Grand Junction where there is an older one, owned by me, and a newer one that is currently being built by someone else. Hope this helps.

Fleetwood Matt · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Apr 2006 · Points: 620

Edward,
Welcome to Ridgway!
RSS school wall opens T, Th evenings late September to the public. Lots of local spots to explore. Jason's guidebook at Ouray Mtn Sports is helpful. Grab yourself a bar stool at Colorado Boy and settle in! Feel free to give me a shout 318-146nine. Cheers,
Matt

Grant Kleeves · · Ridgway, CO · Joined Jan 2011 · Points: 60

Pretty much all the info above is right on the money, as far as the HS gyms Ridgeway is where it's at, both for quality climbing and lots of partners. Ouray is underrated as a pretty much year round sport climbing area and the black and escalante have plenty of gear plugging to last a lifetime. FWIW if you have the option I'd probably live in Ridgeway instead of Montrose, there's not much of an outdoor community down here, you'll probably find yourself heading south most days anyway. Feel free to message me for any more info and have fun over here!

Edward Medina · · Ridgway, CO · Joined Nov 2007 · Points: 1,061

THanks for the feedback. I'll be living in Ridgway up on the Loghill Mesa. Looks like a 5 minute ride down to the HS. So stoked!

Ouray Badger · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jul 2007 · Points: 25

Edward, welcome to the Ridgway tribe. You're gonna love it. If you need a partner I'd be happy to give you a tour. Fleet wood Matt always too busy :-)
Send a message on MP. Ouray is the center of the Universe

Ryan N · · Bellingham, WA · Joined May 2009 · Points: 195

How did you land that job? My girlfriend tried to get a job there this last winter. She's a RN with 17 years experience and 4 traveling and couldn't even come close to getting wages to support a lifestyle there even with two incomes.

doligo · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Sep 2008 · Points: 269

Don't listen to Matt, Hutch's beer is pretty much the best on Western Slope. Make sure you have some sort of backcountry winter flotation setup - when it snows you'd be hard pressed to find anybody who wants to climb.

Edward Medina · · Ridgway, CO · Joined Nov 2007 · Points: 1,061

It's kind of embarrassing to admit, but I'm more of an umbrella in my drink kind of guy. Will this limit who would be willing to be seen climbing with me?

Stephen Berwanger · · Montrose, CO · Joined Jun 2007 · Points: 290

I hope your an ice climber!! ;-). Welcome.

Rob Dillon · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Mar 2002 · Points: 759

Unlikely. He did mention the umbrella thing.

Evan Lukow · · Roanoke, VA · Joined Jan 2011 · Points: 0

Dude. So jealous. Can u get me a job? I grew up in the front range and that area would be my dream location to climb alot and work a little.

Stephen Berwanger · · Montrose, CO · Joined Jun 2007 · Points: 290

What do you do for a living Evan?? I'm an employer in Montrose but you'll have to work more than "a little" :). You are welcome to apply. Email my office if your interested. Company website is summitsealants.com.

Bill Kirby · · Keene New York · Joined Jul 2012 · Points: 480
Tom-onator wrote:^^^Awesome logo Steven! I remember while building Vail Four Seasons, the general contractor had a difficult time keeping the water table from flooding the subterranean parking garage. There was a company there drilling holes in the 4' thick concrete and injecting epoxy to seal the floor. Was that you by any chance? I was there doing the HVAC while working for the union. If I apply can I wear my crampons at work during the winter?
They were probably injecting polyurethane chemical grout into the floor. I'm surprised that contractor didn't pump benonite. That would have been cheaper. (I want a job in Montrose CO just like everyone else)
Fleetwood Matt · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Apr 2006 · Points: 620

Edward,
You can likely talk Doc Joe at the distillery into ordering in a batch of extra umbrellas. Don't listen to those troglodytic Ouranians! Highly recommend extra albendazole if you plan on visiting the Ouray watering holes...
Seriously though, folks have made a good point. Plan on showing up with a "pioneer spirit" to work hard. You definitely have to carve out your own existing on the Western Slope. The upside is that you get to carve out your own existence.

Stephen Berwanger · · Montrose, CO · Joined Jun 2007 · Points: 290

Very impressive on the polyurethane chemical grout Bill!! I would debate your bentonite recommendation as it does not work in CO very well due to soil density, high water tables and high and variable hydrostatic pressures. Send in a resume if you like!!

Oh Crap.......we hijacked this thread. Sorry. So any more info for the front ranger who likes umbrellas in his drink????
:-P

Tim Swann · · Ridgway, CO · Joined Jun 2013 · Points: 5

Hey guys, I have been dirtbaging all summer and I just found a job in Ridgeway. Thanks for the thread with all the info! I'm always down to climb and I should have 3 day weekends with this new job. Feel free to message me if your interested in climbing with me.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Colorado
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