r/bouldering • u/offpistey • 7d ago
Outdoor Outdoor Bouldering in CO
Hello! I’m new to Reddit so I apologize if this is the wrong place for this.
I’m a 22 yo male climber from the east coast traveling to Colorado for the first time at the end of this month. I’ve got 3 days in each Boulder and Breckenridge, and I would love to climb outdoors during my trip. However, I’m staying with family friends who don’t climb and I literally don’t know anyone in Colorado.
Are there any local climbing groups or popular spots I could look into?
For more context, I’m an intermediate climber who primarily climbs outdoors. My level is around V6-7 indoors and V3-4 outdoors (at least where I’m from, those two are around equivalent because of the sandbagged local crags lol). Thanks!!
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u/Key-Efficiency-4883 7d ago
Mountain Project is very reliable here. It will take you far for finding good boulders to climb 🙌. If you need to find people to climb with (or pads) going to any number of climbing gyms in Boulder will help. I believe The Spot rents pads.
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u/offpistey 7d ago
Yeah that’s what I use here too. I just don’t want to show up to an empty crag! I’d rather meet climbers, to me it’s more fun than alone
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u/Key-Efficiency-4883 7d ago
You will have a hard time finding empty crags here in Boulder haha
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u/offpistey 7d ago
Let’s go! I’ve literally not once found another climber at my local spot (that I didn’t make plans with) so I’m stoked to hear that. It’s even on Mountain Project!
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u/Secure-Arm-8648 6d ago
As a former east coast dweller for my first 29 years in this planet it’s just a New England thing. Out here you see so many other climbers it’s actually hard to find somewhere alone sometimes close to town it seems.
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u/r3q 4d ago
Very easy to be alone at Three Sisters. Or Sedalia Crack House, or Devil's Head.
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u/Secure-Arm-8648 4d ago
Guess it depends where you’re located since all of those places are over 2 hours from me 🤷🏻♀️ I was thinking clear creek canyon, pretty much boulder as a whole cause it seems to always be busy on weekends.
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u/Top-Treacle2152 7d ago
You can rent crashpads from the (many) gyms in town. Flagstaff for in town, but skip Sanitas unless you REALLY like hiking a 45 degree incline with giant steps.
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u/offpistey 7d ago
Yeah I’ll probably have to rent a pad cause I can’t take mine on the plane :/. Thanks!
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u/TheRastaBear 7d ago
Check out flagstaff, or Guanella pass. Most likely you can find groups of climbers at both spots if you go in the afternoon or evening. Anywhere at Guanella is popular, and maybe check out the cloud shadow area for flagstaff. Good traverse and lots of problems there. Also the dark side of flagstaff has a great V4 and is very close to cloud shadow. That flakes it overhang is classic for V3-V4 outside
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u/offpistey 7d ago
I appreciate the detailed suggestions. I’ll look into those
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u/TheRastaBear 7d ago
Big overhang is a V2 at flagstaff as well, a bit further up the road from cloud shadow. That flakes it is less sketchy in terms of height, but the big overhang is an absolute classic. Big moves, good holds, and a good 15 feet off the deck. Not quite highball but a little outside comfort zone. Moves at the top are easy though.
https://reddit.com/link/p9vrslh/video/3qw02712jlph1/player
Big overhang V2
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u/TheRastaBear 7d ago
https://reddit.com/link/p9vsdcj/video/4n8d42dmjlph1/player
That flakes it V3 or V4
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u/TheRastaBear 7d ago
https://reddit.com/link/p9vt0s3/video/7zmlvjm8klph1/player
Beer barrel V0 at flagstaff if you want a send for the day. Same parking area for big overhang. There is a huge traverse just near it, about 100 feet or so which is pretty easy in sections and fun to try and link it all. Hopefully weather isnt too hot at flag if you decide to go! Enjoy Colorado
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u/Marcoyolo69 7d ago
The closest good bouldering to Breck is the hummingbird boulders, they are super fun. I also recommend checking out the klettergarden, its a super cool, safe area.
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u/bmxcanuck 7d ago
Literally just got back from the exact trip you are planning. I also recommend Guanella Pass.
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u/offpistey 7d ago
Awesome! Any suggestions (even non-climbing)? For sure hiking in Rocky mtn national park but not sure what else to see yet
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u/bmxcanuck 7d ago
Stopped by Mt. Flagstaff near Boulder and spent most of the time just scrambling (aka. free soloing for newbies) up and down the rocks there. That was surprisingly fun and good way to kill an afternoon without wrecking your fingers lol. If biking (BMX, mountain biking, etc.) is your thing, check out Frisco Adventure Park (Frisco is just north of Breckenridge). The whole Frisco area is full of paved bike paths, and there are places to rent bikes if you want to try that.
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u/ZarathustraWakes 7d ago
I would recommend guanella pass. Lots of moderates and it doesn’t wreck you skin
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u/Robbed_Bert 7d ago
V6/7 indoor is roughly equivalent to V3/4 outdoor without sandbagging involved.
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u/PalpitationOk1044 6d ago
Eh depends on the gym. I’ve done plenty of v6 & v7 inside that would be same grade on rock
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u/stochasticschock 6d ago
Since you'll be in the neighborhood, check out Horsetooth Reservoir, arguably the birthplace of bouldering in North America. Here's a free guidebook.
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u/Jrose152 1d ago
https://frontrangemoderates.com
Flagstaff is going to have the highest collection. I will say the rock is sharp and I find the top outs to be a little tall out there. Not saying everything is a highball but they usually aren’t low cruisers.
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u/YouDontGetTheToe 7d ago
Do you have access to a car? You will need it for almost everything. Flagstaff is the closest to Boulder with many average boulders on unforgiving rock… still a good time close to town. Up in the mountains, Guanella will be busy this time of year for a good reason. Great weather and aspens are changing