Ouray Ice Programs  2021 International Mountain Guides

The town of Ouray, located in heart of the San Juan Range of southwestern Colorado, is home to the Ouray Ice Park and is one of the best venues to learn and hone water- techniques. Easy access to the Ice Park is only half of it—the local backcountry ice climbs offer a different challenge for those ready to test their skills on naturally formed ice. Enjoy a relaxed town, good restaurants, and natural hot-springs; a winter visit to climb in Ouray has become an annual habit for many.

These programs are an excellent choice for those gearing up Ouray: Just The Facts for an expedition or subsequent climb that requires confident cramponing in icy conditions. Focusing on the balance and The Town: technique necessary for climbing steep water ice gives Ouray, Colorado, elevation 7,760', climbers a significant advantage in their technical ability. population 700, 9 blocks long, 6 blocks wide, mostly built in the 1800's, designated a National Historic District, A typical climbing day will start with breakfast at your hotel and and is in the Uncompahgre Gorge of the San Juan Mountains a morning meeting with your guide. Access to the Ice Park is right at the edge of town, a pleasant hike along the top of the The Park: box canyon. The Park is nearly a mile in length from the first Most climbing is within walking distance of town, and the park which is just over climb to the last (there are about 150 named climbs in the 3/4 miles long is divided into three Park formed over the edge of the canyon). With a slightly sections: Lower and Upper Gorges and longer approach, climbers have the option to climb on natural an area between the footbridge and road bridge. ice in the backcountry on climbs ranging from one to seven pitches in length. In the evening you can visit your motel hot Don't Try This At Home, But…: The secret to making good ice is to tub or the hot springs pool in town to soak and relax, then angle the nozzles so that the water has finish with dinner at a local restaurant. time to cool down before coming in contact with the existing ice and rock face. The focus of our ice programs is on improving individual climbing skills. A small instructor/student ratio will facilitate Not to Brag: close attention for all levels of climbers. Participants are Ouray sees 285 days of sunshine a year encouraged to progress at their own pace and within their own Bring a Jacket Anyway: comfort level. Night temps can drop to –20°

In the Beginning: No previous ice climbing experience is required. Sign up for a Jeff Lowe and Mike Weis made the first two-day, three-day or five-day course, and come enjoy the ascent of Bridalveil Falls in 1974 stellar terrain that Ouray has to offer. Private Playground: Eric Jacobsen, owner of Ouray Hydroelectric, purchased the land in a Transportation bankruptcy auction in 1992. Sympathetic Ouray can be reached by flying into one of several nearby to climbers, Eric's only caveat was that he had to have adequate liability locations. Montrose is the closest and most logical destination insurance coverage provided for himself (34 miles, 40 minutes driving). Grand Junction (96 miles, 2 and his company. hours) and Denver (300 miles, 6-7 hours) are also viable options. It’s easy to rent a car, or there are two shuttle service options from Montrose to Ouray: - cont. - Western Slope Rides, and Telluride Express.

IMG Ouray Ice Climbing Programs, page 2 of 4

Lodging Ouray: Just The Facts (cont.)

There are many options to choose from in the town of Fit for a Climber's Budget: Under a unique land-use arrangement, Ouray. Recommended options include: the County of Ouray insured Eric and Ouray Hydroelectric under its insurance Comfort Inn, 191 5th Ave umbrella, and Eric in turn leased to the county the use of the land for recreational Clean rooms, good value and nice breakfast purposes for $1.00 a year until 2008. This was the critical ingredient for laying the rd foundation of Box Canyon lodge, 45, 3 Ave the Ice Park. Close to the Ice Park, natural hot springs on site And With PVC It Shall Be Built: rd In the fall of 1994, Bill Whitt, Gary Wild, Twin Peaks Lodge, 125 3 Ave and Mike O'Donnell strung out some half Close to the Ice Park, hot springs on site inch pvc pipe and the odd assortment of garden hose and sprinkler heads and began to farm ice in the gorge. A crop of Beaumont Hotel, 505 Main ST long steep flows of crystal blue ice A nicely restored historic building right on Main Street appeared on previously blank rock; the Ouray Ice Park had arrived as the world's th first park devoted exclusively to the sport Hotel Ouray, 303 6 Ave of ice climbing. A newly restored historic hotel right on main street. By Any Other Name: The result was a wealth of new climbing terrain, which since 1996 has been known as the Ouray Ice Park.

Make your reservations early, ESPECIALLY around the Ice The First Festival: Festival. Lodging is not included in the cost of the program. Jeff Lowe, along with O'Donnell, Wild and Whitt organized the Arctic Wolf Ouray Ice Festival in January 1996.

Nearby Skiing Some climbers will pair their ice-climbing with a visit to Telluride Ski Area for some world class skiing before or after their climbing program.

REQUIRED Insurance: IMG requires that all* trip participants purchase Travel Insurance that includes coverage for medical evacuation, repatriation and medical expenses for the duration of their IMG program. Trip Cancellation Insurance is strongly recommended. Trekking and programs are true "adventure travel."

*The insurance requirement does not apply to IMG customers on programs within the continental USA, but is strongly encouraged.

“This trip is a 'don't-miss.' The scenery is excellent, the town is cool and funky, the pace is relaxed, the company is fun, and the climbing is exquisite...” —Bob G.

For more comments from IMG climbers, please see our website at: www.mountainguides.com/comments.shtml

International Mountain Guides  www.mountainguides.com  email: [email protected]

PO Box 246  31111 SR 706 E  Ashford, WA 98304  phone: (360) 569-2609  fax: (866) 279-7455 IMG Ouray Ice Climbing Programs, page 3 of 4

IMG Ouray Ice Climbing Programs Dates and Prices

Ouray, CO 2-Day Beginner's Program Recommended for first time ice-climbers. A great introduction to the basics of ice climbing in the close by and easily accessible Ouray Ice Park. We’ll work on footwork, ice-tool placements, and body position to learn how to climb ice efficiently. Try ice climbing out for a weekend and you’ll be hooked! Jan 15-16, 2022 ● ● Feb 19-20, 2022 Ratio: 3 students per guide ● Landcost: $600

Ouray, CO 3-Day Beginner's Ice Climbing This is the recommended short program to get you started out right with more time to learn climbing skills and practice them. Similar to the 2-Day Beginner’s program, this program will introduce the basics of ice- climbing while providing participants with an extra day on the ice. Jan 8-10, 2022 ● Jan 29-31, 2022 ● Feb 12-14, 2022 Ratio: 3 students per guide ● Landcost: $900

Ouray, CO 3-Day Intermediate Ice Climbing A short program recommended for those who have taken an ice climbing program previously. Focus will be on climbing more routes on varied terrain and working on advancing skills. Jan 12-14, 2022 ● Feb 5-7, 2022 Ratio: 3 students per guide ● Landcost: $900

Ouray, CO 5-Day Ice Climbing Open to all levels of experience, suitable for first time ice climbers AND repeat climbers. Participants are teamed up based on ability and learning styles. An in-depth learning experience with lots of climbing and time to really improve skills. 2:1 guide ratio gives the flexibility to climb in the backcountry. Feb 21-25, 2022 Ratio: 2 students per guide ● Landcost: $1,500

Ouray, 5-Day Climbers’ Reunion Seminar This program is open to past participants of Ouray programs. This program is open to climbers of all ability levels, but request that they have had previous experience and be ready to tackle different climbs in different areas. This is the ultimate fun Ouray program, drawing climbers back year after year to see old friends and make new ones. Jan 24-28, 2022 (Come a few days early for the Ice Festival, Jan 20-23, 2022!) Landcost: Cost: $1,500

Private Guided Programs (Ouray Ice Park and the area’s backcountry climbs) Custom, private programs are often the best way to climb in Ouray. We offer custom climbs for any size group from 1 to 8. Rates are based on guide to climber ratio just like our regular programs. Organize the program around your schedule and your personal climbing goals. We can accommodate any ability, from first time climbers to family groups to advanced ice climbers. Our guides will create the best possible experience for you in Ouray. Programs with a guide ratio of 1:1 or 2:1 will have the option of climbing one some of the region’s stellar backcountry ice climbs. Register early to confirm your preferred dates. 1:1 guiding $500/day 2:1 guiding $375/day per person 3:1 guiding $325/day per person

Ouray, CO Expedition Skills For climbers looking to prepare for an expedition on bigger mountains like Denali, this 4-day program will spend time talking through expedition skills, and working on rescue and self-rescue techniques. The program will be hotel based, but if conditions allow, the group will spend one night winter-snow camping, with a short approach pulling sleds—a good introduction to the extreme self-care required for expedition climbing. If time allows, climbers will also sample the ice-climbing that Ouray is known for. Feb 15-18, 2022 ● Feb 24-27, 2022 Ratio: 3 students per guide ● Landcost: $1400

International Mountain Guides  www.mountainguides.com  email: [email protected]

PO Box 246  31111 SR 706 E  Ashford, WA 98304  phone: (360) 569-2609  fax: (866) 279-7455 IMG Ouray Ice Climbing Programs, page 4 of 4

Ouray Ice Climbing Programs Sample Itinerary (Every program is different and catered to the participants and current conditions)

Day 1: Group meets at 8:00 a.m. at your hotel or at a local coffee shop. After a general introduction of the guides and the team and a brief check of your gear, the group will walk to a nearby training area located in the Ouray Ice Park. We’ll review or introduce proper crampon technique (flat footing, front pointing), and placement. Everybody will learn or review top-rope belay technique and rope management, then start the climbing with no-tool and one-tool climbs to build good footwork. The latter part of the day will be spent top-roping easy-moderate ice to develop technique.

Day 2: Continued top-roping in the Ouray Ice Park, gradually increasing the difficulty of pitches with the introduction of additional techniques as appropriate. Other topics of discussion and applied practice will include anchors (screws, bollards and threaded runners), systems and rappelling. Climbing will cater to the group’s ability level and goals, and could include visiting backcountry ice.

Day 3: For programs with a 2:1 climber : guide ratio there’s an option to visit the backcountry for some natural, multipitch climbing. This will involve the guide as they lead each , then rappelling or lowering for descent.

3-5 day programs and private programs have time to introduce and work on more skills as time and motivation allows: • skills. Practice placing screws on the lead, setting up belays, and swapping leads. Students will simulate leads with a top-rope backup, and if skills allow, may be allowed to lead climbs without a backup. • Further multipitch climbs in the beautiful Ouray backcountry. • Advanced climbing skills: We can spend time working on climbing steeper and more delicate ice in the Ouray Ice Park, as well as mixed climbing and dry-tooling techniques. • We have the flexibility to work with you on whatever climbing skills fit with the group’s goals, whether it’s climbing in the ice park then having an afternoon coffee, spending all day climbing a long backcountry route, working on technical skills, or talking through gear for an upcoming expedition.

For private program custom itineraries, please contact the IMG office and Justin Merle, Ouray Program Director.

NOTE: If you do not own ice tools or vertical front point and do not wish to purchase them, rental tools and crampons are available for an additional fee. Make your request early, as supplies are limited. Our ice tool stock currently includes Nomics and Quarks. Crampons are Black Diamond Cyborgs.

RENTAL RATES:

Item: 2 Days 3 Days 5 Days per Add’l Day One Ice Climbing Tool $10 $15 $25 $5 Two Ice Climbing Tools $20 $30 $50 $10 Technical Crampons $10 $15 $25 $5

International Mountain Guides  www.mountainguides.com  email: [email protected]

PO Box 246  31111 SR 706 E  Ashford, WA 98304  phone: (360) 569-2609  fax: (866) 279-7455