Looking for Colorado acclimatization tips

run dude! run a freekin lot! if you smoke! quit! it'll take a while to hack all that city shit up out yer lungs, and as it comes out, it makes room for more air, (you can write this down). As soon as you get here run 2 miles and call me in the morning! Im not a doctor but I did stay at the Holiday Inn last night.
ike

Tony Bubb wrote: I've always wanted to print 'immigrant' ones that look the same. ANyone else interested if I do?

I'll take one....

I agree with Jim!

Im an immigrant from NC myself. I've lived here twice, so I've had to reacclimatize. I just go up to altitude, bivouac for a few days, gather my thoughts, maybe practice yoga (if that your kinda thing) don't rush it, it'll happen! Perhaps go up the incline if you are in some kind of shape, but running I think is the best medicine. In any case, enjoy your stay.

Actually saw a transplant sticker this winter. There is a small gas station that sells them in hartsel. Only one gas station so it will be easy to find.

valgrl wrote: I'll take one....

How about one that says "Carpetbagger."

Debra Kirk wrote:Re: the dude with HAPE at 9000ft. A definite possibility.

Now you've got me thinking, after about 4-4.5K elevation gain, can this really happen?

I had thought the minimum gain is expected to be double that.

Acclimatization in Colorado can be very problematic and costly, not to mention that it can take upwards of ten years. Depending on the area you inhabit the symptoms will vary, but you can expect the following:
1. An insatiable urge to don a puffy down jacket and shorts in almost any climate (note this is not exclusive to Colorado but merely exacerbated, especially in the balmy front range areas.)
2. Mass consumption of Lattes, preferably from the local coffee shop, not Star****s.
3. An expanding gear arsenal including but not limited to: kayak's, golf clubs, Ice Climbing and mountaineering gear, skis, a mountain bike and worst of all, a road bike (not to mention all of the associated spandex)
4. An unfounded but extremely intense hatred of people from California and Texas.
5. In some cases you will find your hair growing into a pony tail or dread locks, creating further alienation from your otherwise loving family.
6. Constant use of the word "dude"
Finally, you will also risk exposure to HAPE (Highly Acute Premeditated Egotism) which can only be cured by going back to lower elevations completely devoid of climable rock.
Be warned, Colorado is not for the faint of heart. However, the Subaru is stil optional.

Unfounded? UNFOUNDED?!?!

Well that's just heresy!

You've been too busy watching those x-country ski tracks on your way to the ice. Dang-it man, snap out of it!

Though I will admit, if you get a crowd half CO & half TX, you'd have the liveliest BBQ this side of the Mason Dixon.

& CA, geeze, imagine all the feel-good freaks in Boulder, only take that town and add millions, it's a friggin nightmare I tell ya!

Unfounded?? POPPYCOCK!

Chalk me up for an "immigrant" sticker.

logan johnson wrote:Acclimatization in Colorado can be very problematic and costly, not to mention that it can take upwards of ten years. Depending on the area you inhabit the symptoms will vary, but you can expect the following: 1. An insatiable urge to don a puffy down jacket and shorts in almost any climate (note this is not exclusive to Colorado but merely exacerbated, especially in the balmy front range areas.) 2. Mass consumption of Lattes, preferably from the local coffee shop, not Star****s. 3. An expanding gear arsenal including but not limited to: kayak's, golf clubs, Ice Climbing and mountaineering gear, skis, a mountain bike and worst of all, a road bike (not to mention all of the associated spandex) 4. An unfounded but extremely intense hatred of people from California and Texas. 5. In some cases you will find your hair growing into a pony tail or dread locks, creating further alienation from your otherwise loving family. 6. Constant use of the word "dude" Finally, you will also risk exposure to HAPE (Highly Acute Premeditated Egotism) which can only be cured by going back to lower elevations completely devoid of climable rock. Be warned, Colorado is not for the faint of heart. However, the Subaru is stil optional.

Well I don't own any down, don't drink coffee (not EVER) don't have a roadbike, kayak, or golf clubs and I sold my ice gear 10 years ago... My hair is short and parted to the right, because of the cowlicks on that side. My climbing partner and girlfriend are from the midwest (admittedly, not texas or cali) and I don't say 'dude' or much less 'dhuuude.' I don't even say "no worries" (big here in the 90's)...

So I am an immigrant. maybe I am tolerated because I have an old Subaru... it helps me blend in. Darnit, I have got to get a ski or bike rack to put on it to look more convincing...

I want a sticker! i swear i enjoy this state more than the people who are actually from here

I read this forum and felt immediately at home. I am also a sconi transplant. Well, I will be starting this August. I am teaching in Jefferson County. So, I ask you, midwestern style beer drinking, idiocy loving people, who bleed packers and sheepshead, where do I move? I was thinking Golden, but community is as important to me as the climbing. Where do you recommend?

It's forum such as these that remind me that there are good spirited climbers everywhere. Cheers.

Mike, I moved to Ft Collins from OH 7 months ago. I was really worried about the people here and the "coloraditude" that we and our friends have experienced on road trips in the past. In addition one of our friends moved back to Ohio recently from Golden. She had a hard time connecting with the natives and indicated that her true friends were in OH.

I'm happy to report that we've found Ft Collins to be a great place to live. Friendly people, beautiful landscape, and pretty affordable cost of living for CO. You should come up and check it out.

I'm also happy to report that the coloraditude is pretty minimal up here. Everywhere we go climbing we run into really nice folks.

I still want an "immigrant" sticker!!!

thanks for the input. I will look into golden for a place to rent. So, whats you'll opinion of the best multi pitch routes in the area. Eldorado, eleven mile, anywhere else????? I hear Lumpy is the shit, but I am sure it is some distance from Golden. As you can tell, I am new to the front range rock, and only hear about what gets the most hype aka eldorado.
Cheers and good climbs

mike suarez wrote:thanks for the input. I will look into golden for a place to rent. So, whats you'll opinion of the best multi pitch routes in the area. Eldorado, eleven mile, anywhere else????? I hear Lumpy is the shit, but I am sure it is some distance from Golden. As you can tell, I am new to the front range rock, and only hear about what gets the most hype aka eldorado. Cheers and good climbs

Depends what you like. Lumpy is granite, mostly trad and mostly lower angle. Eldo is highly metomorpohsized sandstone (bullet hard, but brittle), Table is short polished Basalt, and mostly sport. Shelf is desert limestone, Splatte (South Platte) is mostly granite domes and slabbing. The flatirons are kind of enigmatic- people only think of the East faces at first, but the N.S.E. and W. all have their own character.

You'll work more than you climb so you'll drive to work more than you drive to climb. I'd say live close to work and save the 5X per week driveing time to go climbing with.

Mike, with Golden you'll also get Clear Creek Canyon & N Table. Plenty to be had as well as quick jaunts to Eldo; you can't miss.

Mark Nelson wrote:you'll also get Clear Creek Canyon & N Table. Plenty to be had as well as quick jaunts to Eldo; you can't miss.

You can't miss unless you go to N. Table (barf). N. Table is a good substitute for climbing if it is 36 degrees and windy, and raining everywhere else. It is slightly better than a gym.

I remember years ago a partenr taking off down the hill. We inquired as to where he was going and replied, pointing towards the stinky Coors plant "I'm going to go give coors something to brew and McDonalds something to fry."

Golden proper (west of the 2 Table Mtns.) is a quasi college town and the rents will reflect that. Around the bend to the south prices will moderate. Morrison is an option, puts you right on 285 and access to the Splatte, where you will find the most multi-pitch climbing; and you're still on the 93/US6 corridor that leads to Clear Creek, Mickey Mouse, Eldo, Boulder, and eventually Lumpy and The Park.

Eleven Mile, Shelf Road are really southern areas; kind of a destination trip from up around Golden (esp. w/ $4 gas, you'll probably want to camp)

Tony's mostly right about Table, but there are several classic lines there that are worth tick-listing. Its a decent after work spot in the summer, once the heats let off some. But at dusk the trail becomes a snake gauntlet.

If I were you, I'd simplify things and pick one or two areas and focus on them for quite a while. With all the different climbing spots within the front range, each really has its own techniques to learn.

Yes, I agree with the fellas @ N Table, it's much better to climb with & bring other menfolk elsewhere, especially during the twilight. Yes, don't goto N Table, nothing to see there, keep moving..