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Visiting Denver in July

JCM · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2008 · Points: 115
slim wrote:lumpy in july is usually brutal hot. nothing like grinding up slabby flared cracks that are broiling in the sun. uggh.
Yeah, if you were to rotate Lumpy by 180 degrees such that it faced north, it would be a decent summer crag. As it is...high elevation but south facing is a somewhat difficult combination; it often seems like it is either windy/snowing/baltic or you are broiling in the sun.

No one else giving a good word for Independence Pass?
Bill Wa · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Mar 2014 · Points: 20
JCM wrote: Yeah, if you were to rotate Lumpy by 180 degrees such that it faced north, it would be a decent summer crag. As it is...high elevation but south facing is a somewhat difficult combination; it often seems like it is either windy/snowing/baltic or you are broiling in the sun. No one else giving a good word for Independence Pass?
Camping is great at Independence Pass too. There are a bunch or "secret" cragging spots along the highway too. I had to use pliers to pull the info about it from the local guide. That's the areas they take clients and wanna keep it hush hush. It's ok. Nice bolted area. Good moderate trads too.
They don't know that ares that's why they don't say anything. I spent a summer in Vail while my boyfriend was on a job contract. That's how I know.
NickinCO · · colorado · Joined Sep 2010 · Points: 155
JCM wrote: Yeah, if you were to rotate Lumpy by 180 degrees such that it faced north, it would be a decent summer crag. As it is...high elevation but south facing is a somewhat difficult combination; it often seems like it is either windy/snowing/baltic or you are broiling in the sun.
Or all of the above in the time it takes to climb a few pitches ;)

Tony, I'm just kidding. It seems most people in Colorado are either from California, Texas, or the midwest… and Texans are worse than the west coast folks :)
Rogerlarock Mix · · Nedsterdam, Colorado · Joined Sep 2008 · Points: 5

Golden Gate SP has really good mid summer cragging that's high enough to stay bearably cool. Check Mt. Torodin or the Grendel. Only an hour or so from Denver.

Tony B · · Around Boulder, CO · Joined Jan 2001 · Points: 24,665

What about Staunton? I have not been yet...

ChefMattThaner · · Lakewood, co · Joined May 2013 · Points: 246
Tony B wrote:What about Staunton? I have not been yet...
Staunton has the worst possible raptor closures, the vast majority of the climbing is closed from Feb-Aug. You should do us all a favor and call them and tell them how you won't be visiting their park while in Colorado due to their RIDICULOUS RAPTOR CLOSURES.

mountainproject.com/v/staun…
Jeremy K · · Evergreen, CO · Joined Nov 2007 · Points: 0

Locals here are pretty spoiled when it comes to heat and humidity - the stuff we call "too hot" may feel fine when coming from the SE. I know when I used to travel from Missouri in the summer, I climbed at Eldo, Lumpy, etc and had a great time. If you decide you want to do a multipitch route at Eldo, get out early and do it before the hottest part of the day. Just don't wait until 2pm to start your Bastille Crack ascent...

JCM · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2008 · Points: 115
Tony B wrote:What about Staunton? I have not been yet...
Also, much of that escarpment gets a lot of sun. I've only climbed there on cool days in the fall, and it was still quite warm in the sun. I imagine that, despite the moderately high elevation, summertime there might feel pretty hot.
Ryan Watts · · Bishop, CA · Joined Apr 2013 · Points: 25

Eldo is awesome although it is probably going to be a bit different than what you're used to. It's not a matter of grades being stiff/soft, just than climbing in Eldo is a different style than a lot of places and can feel a bit insecure/scary if you're not used to it.

Lumpy Ridge and Splatte are both awesome and probably more similar to what you're used to.

Then again, IMO Eldo is one of the coolest places on earth, and really isn't that sketch once you get the vibe of it. There are some sweet moderates there you should have no problem with (Ruper, Great Zot -> Rewritten, and Gambit are some personal favorites).

Tony B · · Around Boulder, CO · Joined Jan 2001 · Points: 24,665

To re-iterate, the Peanuts walls are cool as a cucumber on summer AM's...
People seem to forget that parts of Eldo face N/NW.

Tev · · Hickory · Joined May 2012 · Points: 25

Thanks everyone for your quick replies! Really appreciate the input. So much to consider.

Shout out to Evan P. We live in Hickory, but do enjoy our weekends in good ol' Asheville. Great food and beer. Let us know if you would like to join us for an outing. In fact, any of you guys! Will consider Clear Creek and Boulder Canyon.

Old and Busted: thanks for tip on Devil's Head

Jim Amidon: From everyones input we will probably take a look at Estes Park, will check weather though.

Chef Matt: WIll consider Eldo and Lumpy for sure. We are used to hot weather climbing out here but will definitely check the weather before endeavoring in the possible sustained approach(es).

John Strand: Royal Flush in Frisco looked fun. A little meandering though? Is there a decent guide book?

Eliot Augusto: Estes/Lyons noted. Like the idea of Dream Canyon.

Bill Wa: Which is the bad climbing season? Winter or July? Will look at Indy Pass, thanks!

Thanks to dano72, John Strand, Nick in CO, Tony B.

The Blueprint Part Dank: Sounds like quite the hybrid. Will look into Lumpy and weather.

Andy Novak: So what are the seasons?

JCM: So much to consider that we are now starting to get a little overwhelmed. Indy Pass with great scenery sounds nice. We just may have enough time. Will be coming on the 20th and leaving Aug 3rd. The convention is from the 25-29th. We plan on climbing before and after.

Nick in CO: "California, Knows ow to Party" and "I'm Going Back to Cali" were the songs that came to mind. Funny thread.

Rick Mix: Interesting suggestions, thanks!

Jeremy Kasmann: Thanks for the tip. Hopefully we will be acclimated enough for the heat. Who knows? Just hope we get lucky in avoiding the T-storms.

Ryan Watts: Thanks for the tip on Eldo. We do like adventure, so this may be a good choice.

Again thanks y'all! (Southern enough?) Cheers!
If any of you are short a partner while we are there, please feel free to join us.
Best Regards,
Tev

Bill Wa · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Mar 2014 · Points: 20

Well..duh!

Tev · · Hickory · Joined May 2012 · Points: 25

Bill Wa: said duh. Okay, point taken. Out here we have several seasons: Ship Rock season (Summer), Black Fork season(Fall/WInter/Spring), Laurel Knob season (Fall/Winter). Little Wilson (definitely Summer).

Mike Lane · · AnCapistan · Joined Jan 2006 · Points: 880
JCM wrote: No one else giving a good word for Independence Pass?
Great place, highly recommend if all of Colorado is on the list; but one of the OP's parameters was near Denver.
Tev · · Hickory · Joined May 2012 · Points: 25

Near Denver would probably be best

ErikaNW · · Golden, CO · Joined Sep 2010 · Points: 410

Royal flush is a fun casual outing - don't get scared off by the comments on here about route finding. We did it last summer and found the original description to be just fine.

It will be nice and cool in July but start early to avoid the inevitable afternoon thunderstorms - the upper slab pitches suck in the rain and the peak is a lightning rod.

If you want classic and are in Estes area already - check out Edge of Time at Jurassic Park. Stunning arête and views of Longs Peak.

Andy Novak · · Bailey, CO · Joined Aug 2007 · Points: 370
Tev wrote: Andy Novak: So what are the seasons?
Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter.
Mike Lane · · AnCapistan · Joined Jan 2006 · Points: 880

Thought I would add a little more to this, since it sounds like you are going to be here for a little while. If you are based in the south end of the metro area, The UAC is a fun little after-work crag that sees little traffic; which is unusual b/c anything with moderates close to town is SRO. And there is a group of little-known shady routes at Castlewood. Unfortunately they are only topropes for now, but high quality and powerful lines.
Some may add Table Mountain to the after work list. Personally I think the routes have become too greasy. CCC is a good after work spot too, but you'll have company. If you visit any of these crags and stay until dusk, watch out for rattlers emerging.

Tev · · Hickory · Joined May 2012 · Points: 25

What about Penitente Canyon, just north of Del Norte? We found a nice getaway cabin near by and were thinking it would fun for a couple of days. From the photos we've seen it may be too hot in July?

JCM · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2008 · Points: 115
Tev wrote:What about Penitente Canyon, just north of Del Norte? We found a nice getaway cabin near by and were thinking it would fun for a couple of days. From the photos we've seen it may be too hot in July?
Hot! Hot! Hot!
Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Colorado
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