Ouray, Colorado, Main Street. An old mining town set in the dramatic San Juan Mountains
of southwestern Colorado. Base for most of this week.

Dramatic rock faces and peaks rise on all sides of the town.

We are staying at Rivers Edge Lodgings which are superbly comfortable and just two blocks from Main Street. Rooms are virtually apartments with a kitchen and lounging area and there is a hot tub outside next the Uncompaghre River.

The Box Canyon on the Uncompaghre, just above town is the setting for the famous Ice Park, where sprays are in place to enhance natual ice routes and add additional ones to the sides of the gorge. Climbers come here from all over the world to climb the steep cascades almost in town!


Chris leading the first route in the Canyon. Water Ice Grade 4.

James rapelling in to the base of our second route.

......and leading the route, a steep start leading to more steady ice all the way to the top.

A cold day and James got all the gear on!! :-) An interesting day. The ice was very brittle and rotten in places, but the afternoon was spent top roping three vertical to overhanging pitches.