Our first glimpse of the monstrosity that is Ouray. Kim kept saying, "It really does exist!"
Friday. The crowds started rolling in.
Fundamental Footwork Clinic.. climbing this Grade 4 ice without tools?
Advanced/Intermediate Ice clinic and climbing Grade 5. At the last minute, Ines Papert was added as an instructor.
Saturday - the Mixed Climbing Competition. Ines took second overall and first amongst the women. She makes this look easy.
Watching Kim take a stab at Grade 5. Nice work Vu-dogg!
Sunday we climbed with Ralph, from Anchorage, who is retired and drove down to house sit and spend a month in Ouray. We climbed more Grade 5 ice, but I forgot my camera.
Monday Danika helped us out with leading. The crowds were all gone. A quiet day down in the canyon to soak up all that we have learned.
I am very impressed with this area of the country. South Western Colorado rocks! And it is close to Salt Lake City where their are 7 ski resorts within 30 miles. There is a ton of ice climbing, rock climbing, mountain biking and skiing going on there. And they just get pounded with snow in the winter. Before I moved up to Alaska I was thinking about moving to Colorado. Brian and I may end up there at some point!
My climbing has improved so much from this trip. It was like ice climbing boot camp. I will definitely be back to Ouray! I never did get to ski Telluride, the climbing was just too good.
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