Alpine Rock

Longs Peak Diamond and boulderfield. Photo by Blit...

Description 

This submission is to organize the higher rock climbing in Colorado under one category. Before 2005, RMNP (Rocky Mountain National Park) and Alpine climbs were bunched together at the old climbingboulder.com, then they were separated, and now, apparently, they are to be reunited again with the exception of ice & mixed climbs.

Alpine is probably the true "Mountain" Project terrain. These routes truly lie in the mountains. Most of the other submissions in the Colorado section are really in the foothills or on smaller crags. This is the terrain of the alpinist, the all-arounder. Generally here, you must be comfortable in whatever the environment will throw at you.

Alpine is the home of the marmots and pikas in the warmer months. In the colder months, this is the land of the frozen. Scattered here is the terrain in which weather, exposure, season, loose rock, ice, snow, route-finding, lightning, precipitation, and altitude can dramatically affect one's experience. All these climbs involve heights of at least 8,000 ft. With these factors comes increased risks but potential for increased rewards and memories that can last a lifetime.

Getting There 

These climbs cover the state from the Crestones, the Sangre de Cristos, the Mosquito Range, the Collegiates, the Sawatch, the San Juans, the Gores, the Front Range, the Elks, the Indian Peaks, the Mummy Range, the Never Summer Mountains, Rocky Mountain National Park or whatever range you wish to include. Look high and you will find them. You will drive but then you will hike, since most all of these will require some extended approaches. Some will require overnight trips. Nearly all will have season considerations for the majority of climbers.

Featured Route For Alpine Rock

Colossus Crack 5.8 R  CO : RMNP - Rock : The Lost World

This is an excellent and unknown route. Hike the Fern Lake trail for 1 and 1/2 miles to a bridge. Scramble up the hillside to the right; the Colossus is a dome with its east side seemingly shorn off, left of a prominent orange prow. The walk is long enough to induce one to do other routes in the area as well.P1-just up from the SE corner of the Dome, find a clean, 100 foot long vertical hand crack--classic 5.8. Belay on the ridge.P2...[more]

Add Photo Photos of Alpine Rock

Critters at 13,164 feet.	I was going to take a shot of Ken on the summit, h...	Quite the gathering of juveniles.
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