Monthly Archives: July 2011

Great Climbing Experience at the Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado

The Rocky Mountain National Park in the state of Colorado is a popular climbing destination. There are different trails for someone like you who wishes to take on a great adventure. The place has stunning granite formations and mountain peaks that would surely increase your excitement once you see the view. It is very favorable when you plan a trip in between the months of June and September of during the season of summer. In order to perform such outdoor activity, you must learn about the following.

If you are a beginner, you must familiarize yourself with the Hallet Peak and Notchtop. They are very easy climbing routes. You can bring your family and friends along especially for those who want to try this kind of outdoor adventure. Since you will be traveling to get on these sites, you can have a stun gun because it can be a form of safety device that will keep you, your family and your friends protected at all times.

You have to remember that there are many areas within the park wherein you can choose the one which suits your level of expertise when it comes to this recreational activity.

The Diamond of Longs Peak is known as the highest among all other areas for climbing. The trails can be moderate to hard that is why you must be ready for such adventure. You will need to hike about 5 miles of trail before you will be able to reach this place.

Other spots that is best for this sport is just above the Black Lake. There are many trails that you can follow and they all have different levels of how easy and hard they can be. But generally, they can range from moderate to hard. You can bring all the gear that you need. Be sure to cover your head with a helmet to protect yourself from any rocks that might fall. For more safety especially that this is a famous destination for tourists, rechargeable stun guns would be effective devices.

Another climbing site which is one of the crowd’s favorite is the Petit Grepon. When you will be able to reach the peak of one of its trails, you will surely be amazed by the beautiful view that you will be able to see. Since this is one of the places where it is mostly crowded not only by some locals but also by tourists, you might want to make sure that you avoid going there during the weekend or holidays. But if he crowd is just fine for you, you can follow the trail anytime.

If you wish to camp within the site, you can do so. There are many campgrounds within the area. This would allow you to explore the place as much as you want most especially that you can extend your stay and camp around. Remember to bring all the things that you need on your stay. There are also fine restaurants around the area. You can try the different types of food that they serve.

These are the things that you have to remember when you want to have a great experience of climbing at the Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado.

Rock Climbing Techniques – Climbing With Better Climbers

Some years ago, I met a rock climber guy called Steve. At that time, he was probably in his mid-forties. He had climbed off and on for about 20 years. Work had left him little time or energy to be more than a weekend climber. For 16 of those 20 years, he had climbed at Severe, i.e. about 5.6. He was perfectly happy at this grade and had absolutely no desire to climb harder. Nor did he think that he could climb harder.

“But,” Steve told me, “a few years ago, through a mutual acquaintance, I met a guy called Dave. We went rock climbing together.” Steve grinned at the memory. “The first route Dave did was an E4 (5.11). He was pretty relaxed about things and he climbed it quite easily, without any fuss. Well, what was I to do? I didn’t like to say that I’d never climbed harder than Severe before.” “So what did you do?” I asked curiously. “I followed Dave up it,” Steve replied.

“I didn’t find it easy but I did it without falling off. After that, we did another E4. Then we want to the pub and I told Dave that I’d jumped six grades in a single day. He burst out laughing! The beers went down well, I can tell you…”

What had happened? Obviously Steve had climbed well within his physical ability for two decades. Quite simply, he had no idea he could climb harder. More importantly, he’d never even tried to climb harder. For instance, he’d never gone out and put a top-rope on something and just played around on it.

So, all along, Steve was capable of far harder things. His breakthrough was instigated by the sheer embarrassment of not feeling able to ‘own up’ to his normal grade. I also suspect that Dave’s easy-going personality helped. A capable climber, Dave is also a very relaxed guy who does not come over as a rock-jock. Instead, he’s endlessly supportive.

Steve continued to climb to E4. He never became a bold climber but, if a route is well protected, he’ll get on it and, very often, he’ll do it. He still enjoys Severes. But he also enjoys climbing E4′s – six grades harder – and every grade in between.

There’s a lesson there – for all of us. Climbing with other people who are a lot better can help us to ‘drag our grades up’. Obviously the better climber must be supportive. And, equally, one must not be put off by the grade difference. Just let go of your ego. I used to climb with a guy called Ian Vincent, who was climbing F8b (5.13d) when I was only on about F6b+ (5.11a). We still had great days climbing together.

Seeing a better climber on routes that seem too hard for you demystifies them and makes them so much more accessible. You pick up tips, techniques and, best of all, a different mind-set. The better climber probably knows, much better than you, what you’re capable of. If they say, “You can do it,” then, chances are, you can.

I’ve a confession to make: every significant grade breakthrough I’ve ever made has been on my down. Conversely, I’ve helped dozens of climbers to make grade breakthroughs. There’s a hard way to get better (mine!) and an easy way (climbing with better people). So my advice is this: choose the easy way and climb with better people!