South Six-Shooter in Indian Creek
Springtime in Telluride can mean nasty weather so many local climbers head to the desert to get their fix. We recently climbed South Six-Shooter, a great desert tower for beginner climbers. This is our beta…
South Six-Shooter is located in Indian Creek. From US-191, turn towards Indian Creek/Canyonlands onto UT-211W, pass Bridger Jack mesa and the two Six-Shooter towers. Turn left on the 4WD road to Davis Canyon, this road is signed and leads to Canyonlands. There are two trailheads, but the shorter hike is accessible from the south side of the mesa (drive all the way around the mesa). There is a fairly distinct parking area with a cairned trail leading to the climb.
The hike should take 40 minutes to an hour depending on your route and hiking speed. Once you get to the climb, there are a few different options to get to the top from 5.6 to 5.10b. Check out Mountain Project for the various route option details. The climbing is trad/traditional and the easiest route is up the left side for three pitches. The crux is on pitch 3, a mantel move leading to the summit, some guide books rate it 5.7.
South Six-Shooter is the perfect climb for beginners who want to check a desert tower off their list and the view from the top is incredible! The climb is straightforward and worth the effort.
Telluride Mountain Club members Nate and Ashley Smith took a little day trip to Paradox, Colorado to do a little fall climbing. Paradox is located in Montrose County, just 80 miles from Telluride (approx. 1 hour, 45 minute drive). October and November are popular climbing times for climbing in Paradox. Looking for a great book to help you navigate this area this fall? Try Charlie Fowler’s guidebook, The Wild Wild West. (more…)
4-12-2014 by Ashley Coady Smith
It was 9:00am in Telluride as we drove away from the snowy box canyon. We were headed two hours west to dryer, warmer lands. Myself and Telluride Mountain Club Board Members, Dave Foley and Nate Smith, discussed our summer climbing aspirations while sipping on our coffee. We drove west along HWY-145 through Placerville, Norwood and Redvale, and then took a Left south towards Dove Creek on HWY-141. We drove until we came to the U29 Rd. sign, which is so small you will miss it if you blink. Luckily, there is a landmark of some old building across the street (the only building you will see coming from this way). Next, time this will be good to remember. (more…)
Indoor Climbing Wall Closed
The Telluride Mountain Club’s indoor climbing wall at the Telluride High School will close for the off-season after Thursday, April 3.
SKILL BUILDING EVENTS AT CLIMBING WALL
FREE to members, $5 non-members (unless otherwise notes)
Thursday, February 6: The Telluride Club Presents HOW TO USE THE INDOOR WALL TO TRAIN: Dave Chew, AMGA, will share his tricks on how to use an artificial climbing wall to get strong. Chew will cover warm up routines, strength building exercises, and ways to make our (small) wall go further. (more…)
SKILL BUILDING EVENTS AT CLIMBING WALL
FREE to members, $5 non-members (unless otherwise notes)
Thursday, February 27: The Telluride Mountain Club presents CLIMBING ESSENTIALS – TECHNICAL: Angela Hawse, IFMGA/AMGA licensed Mountain Guide, will be offering Skill Building classes at the climbing wall this year. These skills are essential for safe outdoor climbing, self-rescue and are the building blocks of a well-rounded climber. Do not miss this opportunity to learn from one of the best. Session starts with Anchor Building, and reviews Rappelling Safety and Belay Escape. Bring harness, three or more locking biners, five non-lockers, a couple of slings and a cordelette. At the Telluride High School Climbing Wall. $5 or free for Telluride Mountain Club Members. (more…)
The extension begins at the right side of the photos near the snapped off tree and extends 50 ft apx to the west. The old cable east of the snapped tree has been replaced.
Via Ferrata Cable #4 which was damaged, has been replaced. It’s also been extended about 50 feet to the west.
The cable was extended to compensate for the trail, which became a little more difficult as a result of rockfall. Take note of the telephone pole sized trees broken off when you go through there.
Note: Cable 4 is just west of the hanging forest.
August 13, 2013 — Reports of a rockfall off of Ajax Mountain, Saturday night (8/10), have caused substantial damage to Telluride’s via ferrata.
Climbers should use caution on Telluride’s Via Ferrata until repairs are made.
Climbers should use extreme caution on the via ferrata until repairs are made. Please check back here for updates on the repair and conditions.
UPDATE: August 14 — Where the cable is damaged, climbers should clip into the rungs instead. A few bolts were impacted by falling rocks but none are noticeably loose. After the cable, where the tree was taken out, the trail is a bit rough. There is now about 30 ft of climbing rope and a warning sign.
The damage warrants caution but managing safety on this section is still reasonable.
Rockfall into the gully just west of the Hanging Forest has damaged a cable, bolt and possibly a rung, in addition to substantial terrain movement of large rocks and trees. Those most familiar to the area may notice large loose sections of natural terrain that are likely gone or dramatically altered.
NEXT MOVE
