This is a beautiful area just south of Ouray as you go up to Red Mountain Pass. Classic routes such as Sunsplash, Bear Creek Falls, Horsetail Falls, Wild Horses, Solar Circus are along this road. Major avalanche risk exists after signficant snow falls. Beware of big bowls above these climbs. Sun aspect may be important to consider here.
Getting There
South of Ouray along US Highway 550 up to Red Mountain Pass. Climbs are generally visible from the road. Approaches are generally short.
Blue Condition is a nice variation to the second pitch of Kennedy’s Gully. It basically consists of 2 pitches of steeper ice. Approach as for Kennedy’s Gully; i.e. hike back down towards Ouray from the Engineer Pass parking area for a few hundred feet until another gully is on your right. Climb the gully to the base of the ice. A short pitch of WI 3 or so will serve as a starter. Next, slog up the short snow slop above the 1st ...[more]
US Highway 550
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