Last week I spent 3 days in the Utah desert with Erik Weihenmeyer and fellow guide Ben Kiessel.  Erik has joined us on a few trips over the years, including trips to Red Rocks and Peru.  It’s always inspiring to climb with Erik.  Not only because he is a blind climber, but also due to his enthusiam and true passion for all forms of climbing.

We chose some of the classic lines of the desert, including the Honeymoon Chimneys on the Priest, Fine Jade on the Rectory, and a few Indian Creek splitters such as Incredible Hand Crack and Supercrack.  The weather was a bit challenging on days 1 and 2, with high winds and rain to overcome, but we persevered and then had an absolutely beautiful day on Fine Jade for our last day of climbing.

There is still plenty of warm weather out there in the forecast, and the month of November is always a fine time to climb in the desert.  Give us a call if you want to sneak in a few days of warm weather rock climbing before winter sets in for good!

ND

View of the Rectory and the Priest from the trailhead.

Erik hiking up to the Priest on Day 1.

Erik nearing the top of the loooooooong first pitch.

Erik mid mantle above the crux on pitch 2/3.

Erik and Nate on top of the Priest.

Erik on the Incredible Handcrack.

Erik on to easier ground in Indian Creek.

As the Animas starts to recede, our rock climbing adventures in Durango always pick up.  It’s an absolutely great time of year to climb in Durango, and the mornings are perfect for a couple of hours at either X-Rock or East Animas, two of Durango’s best rock climbing crags.  We specialize in working with participants who have never climbed previously, but also regularly work with climber’s who’ve been around but would like to climb an area classic like Simians to the Sun.  Whether it’s a Rock Rescue Course or a 1/2 day of climbing at X-Rock, you won’t be disappointed with the climbing opportunities in Durango!  Durango Climbing Home Page

ND

Click here to watch an X-Rock Climbing Video

Climber at X-Rock

Belayer and backup belayer. Safety first!

Nearing the top