Eldorado Canyon State Park is simply a maze of quality challenging climbs - leaving you tired, satisfied, and ready for more – especially with an experienced guide, Steve Johnson.
CMS Senior Guide, Steve Johnson, guiding in Ecuador
Meeting at the parking lot at the beginning of Eldo's tall canyon walls, we readied our gear. The location of this area is perfect - just outside of Boulder Colorado. Steep climbable cliffs line the edge of rushing South Boulder Creek. After a 30 minute uphill trudge we reach the base of the Rewritten. Wind, cold, and clouds had us wearing every piece of clothing we had, but by the time Steve led the first pitch the sun came sweetly flooding our little rock world! Shedding two layers, I began climbing the first pitch of this classic. There was almost every type of climbing movement on this great route; face, crack, lie-back, chimney, roof, inset. But the best and most exciting was that the sharp, exposed arête near the top of pitch 4(?). Stepping out into space with winds gusting 40 - 50 mph took all my courage! All the while, Steve calling out encouragement, "you CAN do this!" And then the step across the void onto another face from the arête was definitely the "move of the day." Steve drew out of me the willingness to trust how he told me exactly where to place my feet as I stemmed out across this scary void!
The amazing arete pitch. Photo taken from mountainproject.com
We topped out but the adventure wasn't quite over. The decent required careful route finding and down climbing some steep 4th class terrain. Steve led the way safely and kept the rope on me until we were back on the main trail.
We finally reached our packs left at the start of the climb many hours before. The fall sun was setting and the blue day sky was turning an amazing deep azure - all while a train chugged way up high across the canyon in the fading light. This golden day was made possible because of Steve's experience, incredible skill, and great attention to detail. From start to end - a day to remember. I can't wait for another run. "Hey Steve, where to next?!"
-Colorado Mountain School Client, Mary M.
If you would like to get out and climb a route like this one, or any other routes in Eldorado Canyon, let us know. We can guide there any day of the week.
Coloardo Mountain School
800-836-4008 x3
1 comment:
It is an adventurous blog and its shows that the climate cannot hinder our lifestyle.
Thanks for sharing.
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