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Skiing the Col des Cristaux
After a stretch of mixed weather, lots of fresh snow, and a week of guiding, the skies cleared for a couple days in Chamonix. John Michael McGinn, a fellow Exum guide, joined me for a 2-day trip to the Argentière basin. This area is known for its steep north facing extreme ski descents. Conditions were perfect to explore the legendary terrain here, starting with the Col des Cristaux.
Climbing the Great Dihedral, Rocky Mountain National Park
The Great Dihedral is roughly 8 pitches long, and climbs for about 800 vertical feet from the rocky talus field below the face to the top. Climbing difficulties are in the 5.7 range, with the crux pitch coming at the clean dihedral, or corner, that gives the route its name.
Alpine anchor building seminar
It only takes a day of focused instruction and practice to gain the skills necessary to build your own traditional anchors for alpine climbing and ski mountaineering.
Norway Trip Report: Lyngen Alps
Everywhere in Norway, even in the big cities, people have their touring skis leaning against their houses and ski racks loaded on their cars. The whole country is one big ski touring area, and Norwegians love to ski.
Fall Climbing in Telluride, Colorado
Telluride is known for its skiing and ice climbing, but the rock climbing in the area is also excellent. From single pitch sport climbing on the Telluride Conglomerate to multi-pitch trad routes on the nearby Ophir Wall, there is plenty of good stone for a three or four day climbing trip.