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Colorado Springs - Suggestions for bringing out a group of newbies

Original Post
Matt Gowie · · Boulder, CO · Joined Sep 2015 · Points: 30

Hey folks,

5 friends and I are heading to Colorado Springs for a few days to meet up after a couple years of not seeing each other together. I'm the climber of the group and they've asked me to take them outside for a day of top roping. They have no gear so they're going to rent some harnesses and shoes from CityROCK gym and I'll be lugging my rope + trad and/or sport rack on the plane to act as guide for the day. I've brought one of them outside before but for the most part they're all completely new.

I'm hoping to get some suggestions on what walls / routes would be good to take them out to. I'm assuming they'll be able to climb up to 5.7 and it'd be great to throw them on something harder. Looking for a chill area where we won't bother anyone and folks can relax while we have one or two ropes up. Figured CO locals would have some good suggestions for me there. I'm looking at Garden of the Gods due to the amount of routes there and it's proximity to CO Springs, but happy to hear other spots as well.

Thanks!

- Matt 

Daniel Rasfeld · · Cheyenne, WY · Joined Nov 2017 · Points: 11

Check out Red Rock Canyon Open Space. There's lots of single pitch easy sport routes out there that you can lead and set a top rope on, and is generally pretty beginner friendly. Silver Cascade Slab in Cheyenne Canyon wouldn't be bad either if you'd rather get out on granite than sandstone. I'd avoid Garden of the Gods for that since it can be a bit busier, and tends to have older fixed gear that might not be awesome for setting a top rope anchor off of (lots of drilled pitons out in the Garden). Either way, Colorado Springs requires you to sign an annual waiver to climb in the city parks (which RRCOS, Cheyenne Canyon, Garden of the Gods, and Ute Valley all are). The waiver is free. You just stop by the Garden of the Gods visitor center and fill it out. 

Bleys Andromeda-Focht · · Anchorage, AK · Joined Jul 2016 · Points: 0

You can also give this link a go:
https://coloradosprings.gov/parks/webform/2019-rock-climbing-permit

You have to be able to pull the waiver up if asked, I' haven't been before - but I always figured that pulling it up on my phone would satisfy.
I second Red Rocks Canyon as the less crowded place to go TR a bunch of routes as well.

Tim Stich · · Colorado Springs, Colorado · Joined Jan 2001 · Points: 1,516

Definitely bring to Red Rocks OS. You'll have more climbs to choose from, can either chase or avoid shade, and the tourist crowds are lower and parking easier. 

Matt Gowie · · Boulder, CO · Joined Sep 2015 · Points: 30

Thanks Ya'll RROS looks solid and it means I only need some draws. Much appreciated!

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Colorado
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