The Airy Block

Description 

The Airy Block is host to a number of climbs whose primary attraction is their ease-of-access. The setting here is about as far removed from a wilderness experience as you can get. That being said, this is a great place to go when you have a limited amount of time and you're anxious to get a few quick pitches in.

There are trad, sport and mixed climbs here, of various quality. Some of these climbs would be classic if they were anywhere else.

I was particularly drawn to this area because in a couple of hours I could drive from my home in Glenwood and climb several hundred feet of laps rope soloing before heading home. It's kind of an outdoor gym in that way.

Getting There 

Travel westbound on I-70 from the Hanging Lake exit in Glenwood Canyon (if you're coming from Glenwood you'll have to drive to the Hanging Lake exit and get back on I-70 going westbound). About 2 miles from the Hanging Lake exit, around mile marker 123, look for a break in the concrete traffic barrier on the right side of the interstate as you round a right curve. You'll come to one break and then the break for the Airy Block is another 1/4 mile or so. Quickly pull off to the side of the interstate and back up into the break where there is a good-sized pullout with a gate blocking passage on an old road (for a mine or for the power plant-?). Park out of the way of the no parking signs and a few steps away from the Airy Block.

The Classics