Alpine Rock  Photos:  Recent | Best | Popular Lat, Long:  40.2565, -105.6569 Map Page Views:  5,218,182. Good page? (3 likes)    Administrators:  Ben Mottinger, Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monomaniac, Tom Erickson Submitted By:  Leo Paik on Aug 11, 2005 Make this area a Favorite What's New Guidebooks (2)  Printer View Add Area  Add Photo  Add Comment  Add Event  Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue 72° | 41° 72° | 41° 72° | 41° 68° | 39° 68° | 37°

Long's Peak Diamond and boulderfield.

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Description 

This "area" is for alpine rock climbing in Colorado. Alpine is probably the true "Mountain" Project terrain. These routes truly lie in the mountains. 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 feet and are above treeline. 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.

The Classics

Featured Route For Alpine Rock

Crestone Peak North Buttress Easy 5th PG13  CO : Alpine Rock : The Crestones

According to the guidebook I had, you simply hike to the base of the large buttress and start up going hand over hand following the easiest line. That describes it fairly well. However, it is very easy to get into more than 5 easy. I also found the rock to be good at times and really scary at others. When you get within 300' of the top you can continue to the top of the east pinnacle or traverse into the top of the NW couloir to get round to the southeast side of the peak for the finish. ...[more]   Browse More Classics in CO

Photos of Alpine Rock Slideshow

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I was going to take a shot of Ken on the summit, h...	Quite the gathering of juveniles.	Kelso summit goat.
Clearing snowstorm in the Grenadiers.	Mountain goats.	One of a herd of mountain goats just above the Len...
Hi there, guys!	Monitor Peak's East face in the Needles in Colorad...	The Diamond.
La Platas sunrise from Mesa Verde, 9-2009.	Great bouldering up Lime Creek . . . I think.	San Juan vista.
Remote San Juan wall.	To serve, to strive . . . .	BETA PHOTO: Grazing rights.
Leaving Beartown and Hunchback Pass . . . .