Colorado Wilderness Adventure Climbs
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Alone at the top
Climbed to a high point on a ridge after a snow storm. Interesting detail on rock and trees in the shadows and bright sunshine in the distance. Felt removed from the world.
Morning from camp on la Plata Peak
Early morning light bathes Mt. Elbert in the distance. This stream runs from a lake higher up in la Plata Gulch, where I was headed after leaving camp. Three beautiful days in early July.
Ribbon Rock in Rattlesnake Gulch.
Climbed to the top of Rattlesnake Gulch and discovered this unique rock formation. Wonderful day!
Blizzard Climb on Folded Rock
Climbing a unique geologic formation during a snowstorm one day in January. Temperature was below zero with some wind. Felt very far from home.
Ridge Crossing.
Unexpectedly discovered a low saddle to cross the ridge I was climbing. Wonder if anyone else used this route long ago.
Rooted in Time.
Ancient trees fighting against years of harsh weather, yet thriving on a rocky ridge.
Cloudy day cliff climb.
Interesting steep vertical rock wall climb. Well, now I know what's up there!
Scramble up.
Interesting gulley that lead to a wonderful climb. When you get to the tree, turn right and do an hour of friction climbing on sandstone cliffs.
Worth the climb.
Dramatic view during a climb in a steep canyon. I always wonder if anyone else has been here.
Next move.
Pondering the best way up to the top of the ridge. Which way would you go?
Rough Country.
This climb was a tough vertical ascent with amazing views.
Long way to go.
Doesn't look like much from here, but it took a while. Discovered a bear cave behind the conical shaped tree at the top, just left of center.
Careful progress.
High on a cliff face, I found a small ledge where I could take a welcome break before moving up.
Almost there.
Edging up the wall to the tree in the center and then up the crack to the top. A special place in the morning sun.
Slippery Stairs
Another snowy bushwhack/climb in early December. This one posed a bit of a challenge with snow covered rock on a steep slope. There is a bear cave up above, just around the corner to the right.
Hangin' on the edge.
An inspiring climb. View from climbing one spire across a gap to a similar outcrop. Pretty good rock.
Challenge.
This one is a scramble up loose rock and gravel until you reach solid rock. Features at the top feel like ancient ruins.
Morning Inspiration
This spire reaches into the morning sun from a canyon floor. Beautiful bushwhack/climb in late October.
Frozen Waterfall
A stream draining the shelf above freezes and builds on itself as I ascend a steep canyon on my way to a summit a few hours ahead. Beautiful cold day.
Don't look down.
Looking down anyway. From the top of a spire, looking at the chasm between here and there.
Secret Cave
Discovered this hidden cave a dark, narrow canyon one morning. This is rugged country with steep cliffs and lots of fallen trees. In the Winter, it fills with snow and early Spring winds topple trees. A true wilderness.
It was a long climb.
A long climb after scrambling up a gulley. Here at the top, the view was worth the climb! Dramatic in the early morning light.
Rattlesnake Gulch.
Interesting rock formations on the ascent to the top of this remote ridge. Felt like some catastrophic event took place here long ago.
Last light on canyon wall.
Dramatic end of day sunlight on a canyon wall after a climb. Total silence and no wind. Time to go home.
Trail down into the forest.
A mysterious trail down into a dark forest from the top of a ridge I'd just climbed. It led into a thick, steep woods at the foot of the cliffs and then to a stream at the bottom. Remote.
Hidden Forest Cliff
Looking out of a dark forest at a steep, rocky cliff shining in the sun. It felt like a window in the darkness of the vast woods.
Hoarfrost morning climb.
Huge flat slabs of granite form a natural amphitheatre. It was a cold, windless morning with heavy fog depositing hoarfrost on trees and dry, powdery snow in the crevices.
Lost Canyon
Bushwhacked into this narrow, rugged canyon during a heavy snowstorm early one morning. A small cave at the base of the cliff showed signs of occupation by small animals like fox or coyote. Found some bones in the entrance that were probably leftovers from an animal’s meal.
Secret places.
A narrow cut, deep in the shadows with a defiant pine growing for the sun. It narrows down to a slot and dead ends with towering granite walls and no way out.
Now, to get down from here.
Climbed high up a steep ridge and now it's time to go home. Getting down is more difficult than climbing up.
Last light.
Evening sun illuminates a lone bush on the side of a cliff. Quiet this time of day, when the wind dies down. Even the birds fall silent.
Ridgeline
Climbed both peaks after a storm passed mid morning. Beautiful blue sky!
Embrace
Came across these trees in the forest one Winter Day. They grew intertwined in an apparent embrace.
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