climbing near Grand Junction, 1st week Dec

[pvnisher]

I'll be out in Grand Junction the first week of Dec, and will have one day to do something.
I'd like to do something alpiney or ice-climbing related, however, I have some pretty serious constraints due to the method of travel, time, and partner.

Constraints:
-will have very minimal gear as I'm flying in (no axes/crampons/rope/harness)
-will either be solo or with a partner who is enthusiastic but very inexperienced
-will only have a single day (including driving/climbing)

I'm open to taking a class with my partner if that's the only way to get some time in (renting gear).

Is there anything possible to do with those constraints? If not alpine-y, what else would you recommend that time of year with those limitations around GJ?

[Scott P]

Is there anything possible to do with those constraints? If not alpine-y, what else would you recommend that time of year with those limitations around GJ?

There ice climbs right around Grand Junction, but the 1st weekend of December is a little early. No Thoroughfare Canyon is an ice climb right near the outskirts of town, but it usually doesn't have good ice until late December (and if it's a dry winter, sometimes later).



The nearest alpine type climb would be the Crag Crest, but it's just a moderate snow climb (but has a cool knife-like summit ridge).

If you are short on time, you may want to stick to rock. The Grand Junction area is full of rock towers and the climbing is good:

[tharlow]

If you are in junction with limited time, give Kris a call at 970-245-8513 she is a climbing guide who would be able to hook you up with the best routes in the area and maximize your time there.

[AlexeyD]

It's worth noting that if ice is really what you're looking for, Ouray is not a bad drive (less than 2 hours on a good road).

[jbchalk]

Excellent crack climbing (and no crowds other than Otto's Route, perhaps) in CO National Monument, if that's your sort of thing

[pvnisher]

Thanks for the tips, much appreciated.

Regarding Ouray Ice Park, is it open? I've never been there (but want to!), but the website said they generally open mid-Dec. I don't know how regulated it is. Is there an official opening or is it just "if there's ice, you can go get it"?

[d_baker]

Regarding Ouray Ice Park, is it open? I've never been there (but want to!), but the website said they generally open mid-Dec. I don't know how regulated it is. Is there an official opening or is it just "if there's ice, you can go get it"?

I doubt they would be open by first week of December, unless we have a significant cold snap at the end of November. Official opening and I wouldn't go beforehand unless you're with an ice farmer.

[SnowAlien]

A few of us just went to Ouray Ice park presentation last week, and the presenter implied they hope to open by late December this year.

[Scott P]

Is there an official opening or is it just "if there's ice, you can go get it"?

It depends on if you are talking about the mostly man made ice park or the naturally occurring ice climbs in the area. There are many ice climbs in the Ouray area and outside the ice park there are no opening dates or any "officialdom". I haven't done them other than the ice park, but have done some of them as canyoning routes.

Early December may be too early for ice climbing though. Even if they are in condition outside the ice park (which will not be open), you have to hit them in good low avalanche conditions. Many of backcountry ice climbs are in avalanche chutes where the avalanche danger can be high.

If you want to stay close to Grand Junction though, and only have a day at hand, I'd seriously recommend the desert. Places like Colorado National Monument, Rattlesnake Canyon, McInnis Canyons, and the Black Ridge. The nearest you will be to something alpine is the Crag Crest, and it is a nice winter conditions climb (but not very technical), but the desert is really nice.