With the highest concentration of peaks over 14,000' it's no wonder this is such a popular way to experience Colorado's alpine areas. While many people climb some of these peaks without a guide, and without ropes, for those looking at their first 14er experience utilizing a mountain guide is a great way to learn safer habits and pick up a lot of backcountry knowledge along the way. For those with more climbing experience we have the ability to guide some of the most classic 14er routes in Colorado like The Ellingwood Arete on Crestone Needle, South Face of the Petit Grepon, or The Diamond on Long's Peak. Technical ascents of these high alpine routes often occur on rock, snow, and ice and make a great training ground for those heading for places like Rainier or Denali or just for the challenge they present on their own. We also offer a variety of 14er and 13er climbs of different levels of difficulty and different locations. Please check out some of what we offer below. For extended trips or more difficult climbs involving more equipment check out our porter services to make your hike in a little lighter.
Sangre De Cristo 14ers and 13ers
14ers: Crestone Needle, Crestone Peak, Humboldt Peak, Blanca Peak (Tsisnaasjiní) and Ellingwood Peak
13ers: Broken Hand Peak
San Juan 14ers and 13ers
14ers: Handies Peak, Sunshine Peak, Redcloud Peak
13ers: Sundog Peak, Campbell Creek Peak, Whitecross Mountain, American Peak
Front Range 14ers and 13ers
14ers: Long's Peak
13ers: Mt. Meeker, Ypsilon Mountain, Mt. Alice, Chiefshead Peak, McHenry's Peak
12ers: Hallet Peak, Notchtop Mountain, The Sharkstooth, Spearhead, Petit Grepon
Sangre De Cristos: We are able to offer climbs in the Sangre De Cristo mountains from Memorial Day through Labor Day, weather permitting. Crampons and ice axes are usually required until later in June with the best weather often being in August and September for climbs like Ellingwood Arete.
Front Range: We are able to offer climbs in the Front Range year round, weather permitting. Summer and fall are the best for rock climbing but you can get some amazing snow and ice climbing in winter and spring. Climbing days in Rocky Mountain National Park are limited and require advanced notice.
| 1 Guide | Non-Technical Trekking Day | Semi and Technical Climbing Day | Extreme Technical Climbing Day |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Guest | $309 | $429 | $699 |
| 2 Guests | $249 | $369 | $599 |
| 3 Guests | $199 | $309 | $449 |
| 4 Guests | $169 | Please Call | Please Call |
Rate Information:
Previous guests enjoy a 10% discount on all our services. All rates are per person, e.g. 3 people for a Non-Technical Trekking Day would be $189/person for a total of $567. Semi-technical and technical climbs require climbing implements such as ropes, crampons, and helmets while non-technical ascents are un-roped ascents that don't require ropes, just weather appropriate clothing.
Rates are per day, approach days are billed as Non-Technical Trekking Days. For example, a 3 day trip to climb Crestone Needle would have 2 Non-Technical Trekking Days and 1 Technical Climbing Day. Total for 1 person would be $907.
Certain technical objectives may require lower ratios and proof of competency if you have never climbed with us before. That may entail something as simple as a climbing resume or reference or doing a quick half day of rock climbing with us ahead of time.
Sangre De Cristos: We offer climbs in the Northern Sangre De Cristos near the South Colony Lakes outside the town of Westcliffe, CO. Frequently our guests fly into Denver International or Colorado Springs Municipal Airport allowing us to check their gear in person before starting their days of climbing.
We also offer climbs in the Southern Sangre De Cristos near the town of Alamosa. Denver International and Colorado Springs Municipal Airport are still the best locations for flights. From Colorado Springs it's roughly two hours to the Northern Sangres and another 45 minutes farther to the Southern Sangres.
San Juans: The climbs we offer in the Alpine Loop area of the San Juans are located between the small mountain towns of Lake City and Silverton. Lake City is frequently the best access well into the summer. Flights into Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport are available and may allow for carpooling with guides. More affordable and straightforward flight options are more likely into Denver International or Colorado Springs Municipal Airports.
Front Range: We offer limited Front Range climbs within Rocky Mountain National Park just outside Estes Park. Flights into Denver International are generally the best option.
Climbing 14,000 foot peaks is a favorite Colorado pastime. With the help of a guide here are some of the best 14er peaks we are able to offer climbing.
| Climb Name | Climb Description | |
|---|---|---|
| Blanca Peak (Tsisnaasjiní) | One of the four sacred mountains in the Dinė (Navajo) culture, this is the easternmost sacred peak in their ancestral land. While many are familiar with the easier western route the eastern face has a variety of amazing climbing routes befitting such an important mountain. Routes such as Ormes Buttress (5.6) and Gash Ridge (5.0) are complicated ascents and descents. Most successful ascents are done over three days with the first day being a hike in below the eastern face, a second day of technical ascent and descent, and a third day to hike out. Stronger parties may be able to complete the ascent in two days, rarely are parties successful in one day. |
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| Crestone Needle | From the spanish word for crest and originally one of the "Trois Tetons" due to the resemblance to Teton Range in Wyoming this peak is also home to one of the 50 classic climbs of North America, Ellingwood Arete (5.7). There are easier routes such as the traverse from Crestone Needle (4th class) or the regular South Face (difficult 3rd class) but not much can beat a two thousand foot climb up such an aesthetic ridge. With a rough 4WD to set the tone before a pleasant backpack into South Colony Lakes this is generally done over three days while strong parties can do it in two. One day to hike in, one day to climb, and one to hike out. Really strong parties or those doing the easiest routes may be capable of single day ascents. Usually these are over 15 hours on the move. |
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| Long's Peak | Isolated in the northern Front Range Long's stands alone in many ways. In addition to having no easy ways to the top it is also one of the few 14ers with an abundance of high quality rock climbing routes. The Diamond is known the world over for steep, aesthetic, crack climbs on a sweeping, gently overhanging granite face. With the easiest route being 5.10a, The Casual Route is anything but. There are easier routes such as The Keyhole (class 3) and The Cable's Route (5.4) but as the name suggests it's going to be a long day no matter what route you take. Frequently done in a very long day (frequently 15 hours or more) there are options to bivvy near the base for technical routes or camp in The Boulderfield for a night making it a bit less arduous. |
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While everyone is focused on the highest peaks there are numerous 13,000 foot peaks with great climbing and fewer people. Here are just a few:
| Climb Name | Climb Description | |
|---|---|---|
| IXel Peak | Home to some of the wildest ice in the San Juans such as The Sherman Route (WI4) and Cotton Mouth (WI3, M4) makes this a great winter peak. It also has some great mellow skiing on the east facing bowl into Cataract Gulch. Frequently done in a single day they also make a great combination with climbing in the local ice park or other nearby 14ers and 13ers. |
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| Mt. Meeker | With impressive views of Long's Peak and completing a stunning alpine cirque this 13er has some of the best quality rock routes on the Flying Buttress as well as the classic Dreamweaver ice and snow route that is great in the spring. While generally completed in a day they make for great multi-day climbs hitting other peaks in the area. |
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| Ypsilon Mountain | The Donner and Blitzen ridges are a gift for alpine climbers alone but there's also the Y Couloir to climb or ski. These excellent climbs require a bit of work to get to and are best over a couple days. |
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Colorado is a bastion of amazing alpine climbs that we are happy to guide you on. From multiday ridge runs to stunning snow and ice routes there's a little bit of everything.
| Climb Name | Climb Description | |
|---|---|---|
| Notchtop Mountain | A variety of quality routes for beginners and experts. The Spiral Route (5.4) is great most of the year while the South Ridge (5.9) is another excellent rock route. In the winter the North East Face (WI3) and several other ice climbs make for enjoyable fall and winter ascents. Most of these climbs are done in a day. |
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| Petit Grepon | A partially detached spire from The Sharkstooth another one of the 50 classic climbs is found on the South Face (5.8+). Such an accessible route that can be generally finished in a day makes for a great route by itself or training for bigger climbing days. |
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| Spearhead | With dramatic slabs of granite ending on an equally dramatic summit the peak is surrounded by giants and there are several nearby ice climbs in the winter. The hike can make for a longer day but the quality of the granite is worth a day or even two. |
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-Group climbing equipment (ropes, carabiners, etc).-Individual climbing equipment (harness, helmet, boots, crampons, and any necessary equipment for climbing).
-Group camping equipment for overnight trips (tents, stoves, water treatment) -Dinner from the first night of the trip til breakfast of the last day, excluding lunch/snacks.
-Guide with AMGA training and certification for climbing and instruction.
-Transportation to climbing sites or any sort of lodging. Please note that several 14ers and 13ers require 4WD vehicles and guides cannot be responsible for arranging those vehicles or any damage that may occur.
-Guide gratuities.
-Personal clothing and footwear appropriate for the objective (unless mountain boots are required).
-Personal snacks/lunch and water.
-Trip Insurance
-Other costs not associated with services provided by The Colorado Climbing Company.
Refund and Cancellation Policy: If for some reason you need to cancel your course or trip outside of 30 days you will receive a full refund less service charges to cover our costs incurred. For trips less than $500 this service charge is $50 and for those more than $500 this service charge is $100 or 10% of the trip cost, whichever is greater. If you must cancel within 30 days of the course or trip a refund of 50% will be given. All balances are due in full before the start of any course or trip and no refunds will be given beyond the course or trip date. In the case of unsafe conditions, weather or other circumstances beyond our control we will do our best to reschedule or issue a credit for a future trip. If this isn't possible you will receive a refund less the previously outlined service charges.
