International Buttress Rock Climbing

The International Buttress is an imposing and formidable Glenwood Canyon attraction with 2,000 vertical feet of rock. If you've ever driven through Glenwood Canyon you've probably spied this long buttress and perhaps wondered about potential rock climbing. The buttress is actually three buttresses, two granite and one limestone, stacked on top of each other, rising from the canyon floor and topping out at the rim. Before you pony up the horses for a trip, realize that much of the rock in this area makes the Black Canyon seem like Disneyland.

I hesitate to include the International Buttress here because of access issues with the railroad. But, seeing as the Fountain Buttress is included in the latest Western Slope guidebook, it seems fair to include The International here, more for the historical perspective it offers. It's highly unlikely that this area will be flooded with visitors and cause major conflict; however, tread lightly, and discretely, if you choose to visit this area.

If anything, The International's inclusion here will offer Front Range travelers something to look at when they drive through the canyon on their way to more sensible destinations like Rifle or Indian Creek.