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Moving to Cheyenne

Original Post
Jess Leigh · · Cheyenne, WY · Joined Feb 2013 · Points: 5

Hi- I'm moving to Cheyenne in July and am wondering what the climbing community is like.

Thanks!

John Lombardi · · Fort Collins, CO · Joined Aug 2013 · Points: 995

Hi Jess. The climbing community is pretty small in Cheyenne. There isn't a climbing gym but there are still climbers in Cheyenne. Vedauwoo is 30 minutes away so there's plenty of after work opportunities.

Cheyenne is a better town than people give it credit. It's very affordable and has great climbing near by. There isn't any good mexican food in town though.

highaltitudeflatulentexpulsion · · Colorado · Joined Oct 2012 · Points: 35

Jess, I grew up in Cheyenne and my parents still lived there up until last year. I'll try to help.

First off, you mention climbing. Obviously there is Vedauwoo. I have climbed there every month of the year but realistically, it's solid May-Mid October. The winter offers sunny days and you don't need to be that warm to boulder. The big issue is that of diversity. There are almost no sport routes and the ones that do exist are of a slabby run-out nature. Some exceptions do exist but they aren't the norm.

The climbing tends to be short and thuggy, flared cracks are the norm, and crystals require that you'll need to tape up nearly every time you go out there. Personal improvement can also get stunted there easily since 5.9 makes you feel like a hero out there and it's quite a bit of work to push beyond that. It can be done though. Yes there are offwidths but also loads of finger and hand cracks. I can post a list if you are interested. The sweet spot for super fun routes seems to be 11a-11c but routes 5.5 to 13d do exist.

There was a climbing "instructor" of sorts in Cheyenne. Great guy with a real passion for teaching beginners. He sadly passed away in a climbing accident last year. I do not know if there is much of a community left after him. Fortunately, you can just hang out at the Nautilus and you'll make friends. They might be from Laramie or Fort Collins but that's not too far away for a solid friend.

In time you'll start getting sad at the redneck destruction all over Vedauwoo. Even worse, this is almost all local and rarely perpetrated by "greenies".

It's important to step away from Vedauwoo both from the weather and to climb other styles. You'll have a decent radius. Tensleep is probably about 5.5 hours. Freemont is about 3. Devils tower 6. Eldo 3. Indian creek 9. Wild Iris 4.5. Shelf Road 4.5. You get the idea. For really short trips you're limited to what Ft. Collins has to offer. Indoors that is Miramont gym, and it's excellent. Outdoors you have some TR's at horsetooth, sport in the Poudre, and easy Multipitch on Greyrock. This is important when you need to get out of the town and see some sunshine.

There is more to life than climbing. For my personal values, Cheyenne is sorely lacking.

They will have a line down the street at the Chili's when the local brewery is half empty. Lots of meth. A large majority of the educated natives leave. A lot of who is left feel stuck there, it's not a healthy vibe.

It's cold too. You'll get a month at a time of frozen wind.

Lots of clay in the soil, it's hard to grow a garden. Squash and Zuchini do alright though.

I once got run off the road on my bicycle and attacked there. This was because kids are bored.

I personally would accept a 2 year contract position there. Living there beyond that would be too much.

Mike Gibson · · Payson, AZ · Joined Jul 2006 · Points: 0

Not many people fall in love with Cheyenne. Get out of town as often as possible, and go see the rest of the state for an unlimited choice of awesome natural areas.

Also if you are in to mountain biking, go to curt gowdy state park and glendo state park. Both have a fabulous set of trails without any crowds like you will run into down south. (dont camp there tho unless its in the off season.)

Generally, the best thing about Cheyenne is that it is in close proximity to a bunch of other great options. Denver and the rocky mountain ski areas are reasonably close, or you can head west or north and be into remote wilderness in no time. Lots of little hidden gems not too far away that mostly only the locals know about.

1800Doctorb · · GJ, CO · Joined Mar 2013 · Points: 0

i also grew up there. and i agree to the letter and nearly the spirit of everything that the sky fart guy says.

Bill M · · Fort Collins, CO · Joined Jun 2010 · Points: 317

Fort Collins is a short 45 min. away.

Lex · · Leavenworth, WA · Joined Jun 2013 · Points: 5

Hey Jess. I can't comment much on the culture of Cheyenne, but I'm new-ish to Fort Collins and looking for more climbing partners. Hit me up if you'd like to meet up in Vedauwoo or Poudre Canyon, Boulder Canyon, RMNP, etc. Good luck with the move!

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Wyoming, Montana, Dakotas
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