Views of Huandoy from the high camp on Pisco. Check-out out new Peru Cordillera Blanca itinerary for May and contact us if you're interested in joining this exciting high altitude adventure.

]]> elihelmuth@earthlink.net (Eli Helmuth) Latest News Tue, 31 Jan 2012 04:22:35 +0000 http://climbinglife.com/latest-news/clg-2010-avalanche-courses.html http://climbinglife.com/latest-news/clg-2010-avalanche-courses.html

Climbing Life Guides announces its winter and spring offerings in Avalanche Education and Backcountry Skiing.

Bear Lake Road Phase II Construction 

Funding has been secured for the second phase of Bear Lake Road reconstruction. The work will take place from the Park & Ride – Glacier Basin Campground intersection to the junction with Trail Ridge Road, 5.1miles. The work will be similar in scope and impacts as the first phase of Bear Lake Road which was completed in 2004 and took place on the upper 4.3 mile section of road.

This major project will involve significant retaining wall work in order to accommodate much-needed safety and drainage improvements. In addition on this phase, a 0.9 mile section will be rerouted away from Glacier Creek in order to prevent impacts to wetlands and riparian habitat and minimize costs.

We recognize that work in the narrow road corridor will be difficult and have been cooperating closely with the Federal Highway Administration to minimize disruptions to visitors during the busy summer season. Two years will be allowed for the completion of the work. Specific information on closures and vehicle access to the Bear Lake area will be announced as details become known.

Visitors can expect up to 40 minute delays through the project. Night closures will be allowed for construction of retaining walls. Weekend work will be allowed except on holiday weekends.

During winter and early spring months, full day road closures may occur above Big Thompson River bridge on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays (no road access to Bear Lake on those 3 weekdays during the winter and early spring). Due to the night closures, the Glacier Basin Campground will be closed for the summer of 2012.

Longs Peak Campground:   Closed mid-October For Hazard Tree Work

Beginning on Tuesday, October 11, Longs Peak Campground in Rocky Mountain National Park will be closed through this winter for hazard tree mitigation.  Longs Peak Campground is a tents-only campground and gets very little use during the winter.   Over one hundred and fifty beetle killed and infested trees will be removed.  This winter, park staff will monitor the campground for fallen trees as a result of winds.  Options for reopening the campground will be identified and assessed in the spring and other mitigation will be evaluated.

Winter camping will still be available at Moraine Park Campground on the east side of the park and Timber Creek Campground on the west side of the park.

For more information about Rocky Mountain National Park, please call the park’s Information Office at (970) 586-1206. 

This is an appeal to the readers of ClimbingLife.com to send comments to our local National Forest Agency in support of increased access for commercial climbing, avalanche education, and backcountry skiing instruction on our public lands which are considered multi-use but currently prohibit any new permits for guided and instructional activities.

Additional information about the assessment and how to participate is available at: 

http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/arp/recreation/?cid=stelprdb5330269

Currently there is a moratorium on new permits  for climbing and skiing activities that has lasted at least 20+ years and since then prohibited any new access for commercial activities in all Forest Service managed  climbing and backcountry skiing areas in Colorado.   As backcountry guides and instructors, we serve the public by increasing the overall safety and skill levels of our clients in  decision-making abilities, risk management, Leave No Trace practices, and overall responsible backcountry use.  

Our ability to grow as an industry is shackled by this ban which is not based on clear standards and does not take into account the regional economic benefits of commercial activities.  With increased access, the guiding industry could employ many more guides and provide increased opportunites for tourism money to reach Colorado.  Our clients will have access to more learning venues in areas such as Berthoud Pass where  increased understanding of the environment will lead to a reduction in needless accidents and fatalities.

The National Forest Service office in Fort Collins has sent out the following letter to outfitters which has a number of important considerations in this public appeal for commentary:

Folks, at some point in the recent past, you have communicated with us about obtaining a special use permit to conduct an outfitter/guide operation on National Forest System (NFS) lands administered by the Canyon Lakes Ranger District (CLRD).

At that time, you were told that before we could consider authorizing any more outfitter/guides on the district, the Forest Service needed to conduct a Needs Assessment, to determine if there is a public need for additional outfitter services, and a Capacity Analysis, to determine if the Forest's resources can support additional outfitters. As a result, CLRD was not processing any applications for new recurring outfitter/guide operations.

The Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee National Grassland have begun the Needs Assessment & Capacity Analysis process. This MAY result in opportunities for additional outfitter/guide permits in the future.

Part of the Needs Assessment process is gathering input from the public on the outfitter/guide situation. The attached press release contains a link to our website, which has info about the process and what kinds of comments we are seeking, instructions, a comment form, how/where to submit comments, etc.

The comment period has been extended to November 30 to allow more folks to weigh in on this topic. You folks, both as members of the general public and persons interested in obtaining a permit to operate on NFS lands, are encouraged to provide comments.

Some things to keep in mind:

This is an outreach for comments only. It is NOT a solicitation for applications for new permits. If/when we get to that stage, you'll have the opportunity to submit proposals to be considered for a permit to operate on CLRD. Please do not submit applications for permits for new operations in response to this - they are still not being processed.

As noted in the website info, this is NOT a forum for outfitter/guide permit administration topics. Such comments should be directed to the Ranger District responsible for administering a specific permit.

It is also NOT a forum for advocating for or against the issuance of a permit to any specific entity. Such comments will be disregarded.

Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests
and Pawnee National Grassland

Fort Collins, Colo. (Nov. 7, 2011) Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee National Grassland (ARP) is still seeking public input as part of the outfitter-guide needs assessment to determine the public and agency need for commercial guided recreation activities across the forest. The original comment period which ended on Oct. 31 has been extended to Nov. 30, 2011.

Commercial outfitters and guides on national forests and grasslands provide specialized knowledge, skills, experience and equipment that general visitors might not otherwise possess. Outfitter-guides provide opportunities for people of all experience and skill levels to have high quality, positive outdoor recreation experiences on public lands.

We are seeking public input on the types of recreational activities and locations people consider important and appropriate for potential additional outfitter-guide services. Input from forest and grassland visitors will help us determine what needs should be addressed in which locations and their relative priority.

The needs assessment includes input from the public, permitted outfitter-guides, outdoor retailers, recreation groups, and National Forest specialists. This feedback will be considered in addition to existing outfitting and guiding conditions on the forest; and national, regional and local recreation trend data.

When the needs assessment is complete, the ARP will begin assessing user capacity by specific geographic areas or compartments and finally establish Priority and Temporary Use Pools by compartment.

Additional information about the assessment and how to participate is available at:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/arp/recreation/?cid=stelprdb5330269

We hope to see you there for a great night out!  More information available here.

From the NPS website:

Conditions in Rocky Mountain National Park can change at any time. Expect rain, hail, sleet, snow, lightning, and any other weather imaginable at any time. Snow and ice can quickly cover any of the routes described below on any given day. Please be observant and watch for changing weather and conditions and adjust plans accordingly. Please take appropriate gear to endure these changing conditions. Also be willing to turn around whenever the conditions start to exceed you abilities. Remember your safety is in your own hands.

Sunday, June 5th, 2011

ESTES PARK, Colo. — Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park is scheduled to open around 9 a.m on June 5th.  The Mayors of Grand Lake and Estes Park will cut a ceremonial ribbon that morning to celebrate the opening of the road that connects their two communities.

Trail Ridge Road historically opens on Memorial Day weekend; last year the road opened on May 28th. The earliest the road has opened was on May 7, 2002; the latest June 26, 1943. Trail Ridge Road is the highest continuous paved road in the United States, climbing to 12,183 feet and connecting the towns of Estes Park and Grand Lake. Trail Ridge Road officially closed for the season last year in November.

National Park Service plow operators normally begin clearing the snow in April.  Crews from the west side of the park and crews from the east side of the park move along the road and eventually meet at the Alpine Visitor Center. The Visitor Center is the highest in the National Park Service, sitting at 11,796 feet above sea level. Spring storms often impact plowing activities. Plow operators can encounter drifts from 18 to 30 feet.

Because weather conditions may change rapidly, park visitors should be prepared to adjust travel plans accordingly and are encouraged to contact the park information office at (970) 586-1206 or check the park’s website at www.nps.gov/romo to receive current road conditions.

From the RMNP - NPS website:

Old Fall River Road: Closed.
Old Fall River Road is open to bicycles and pets as posted. Old Fall River Road will open when weather and conditions permit, likely some time in mid-July.

When plowing operations begin, Old Fall River Road will be closed to all use Tuesday through Friday for maintenance until the road opens. At that time, Old Fall River Road will be open to bicycles and pets on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday.

Old Fall River Road is a steep, one-way unpaved road. It is not suitable for RVs or low-clearance vehicles, but provides spectacular views for suitable passenger cars, trucks, or SUVs.

Vehicles with trailers or vehicles exceeding 25 feet in length are not permitted on Old Fall River Road.

For more information about traveling on Old Fall River Road, click here.

The following secondary roads are open:

• Upper Beaver Meadows Road
• Twin Sisters Trailhead Access Road
• Fern Lake Road
• Wild Basin Road
• Endovalley Road

RMNP Crews plowing Trail Ridge Road on June 3rd, 2011.

Join Eli and friends at Ed's Cantina for an evening of $3 drafts, $5 margaritas, and oh yeah;  some great photos and stories from adventures in the Andes of Peru and Ecuador.  Doors open at 7:30pm with the show going from 8-9:30pm on Thursday, July 21st.

Rocky Mountain National Park now employs a half-dozen seasonal climbing rangers that are involved in multiple projects including technical and non-technical rescue and searches, conditions assessments, and apparently in 2011; a bolt count of all fixed anchors and protection in RMNP.

If you haven't already, check-out their most recent conditions report here on the RMNP website.

Upcoming Fourth of July Weekend Expected to Be Busy At Rocky Mountain National Park

With the upcoming warm weather forecast, park staff are expecting a busy Fourth of July weekend in Rocky Mountain National Park.   Park visitors should expect more snow in the park than they would normally encounter in early July!  From lower elevations the mountain peaks look majestic with blankets of snow.  However, the backcountry on both the east and west side of the park, still looks and feels like winter above 9,500 feet.  

Visitors planning to recreate and hike in the park’s backcountry should be prepared for heavy/wet snow, slush and ice on sections of trails including the Bear Lake area.  Avalanche danger remains a concern and backcountry users should expect to encounter conditions that present additional hazards and risks than what is typically encountered this time of year such as steep snow slopes, thin ice over water, snow cornices and snow bridges over moving water.  

With deep snow trail conditions in many sections of the park, park rangers are encountering visitors who are getting injured due to slipping and falling or are exhausted from post holing.   Rangers are also assisting visitors who are expecting typical summer trail conditions but instead are having difficulty finding the route and becoming disoriented and lost.  Visitors should come prepared with waterproof, lug-soled boots.  Hiking poles are helpful.  Good route-finding skills are important, due to snow-covered trails.  Trail conditions are posted on the park website, www.nps.gov/romo follow the Quicklink to Trail Conditions Reports.

Visitors can still expect dramatic snowdrifts along Trail Ridge Road.  Due to significant snow accumulation, Old Fall River Road in Rocky Mountain National Park will not be open by the Fourth of July weekend as it traditionally is.  For those who are accustomed to hiking or bicycling the road before it opens to motor vehicle traffic, please pay close attention to current conditions as avalanche potential and possible road damage may influence temporary or long-term closures not normally in effect.   Old Fall River Road is open to hikers and bicyclists on Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays and is closed to all uses Tuesdays through Fridays for road maintenance.  It is unknown when Old Fall River Road will open to vehicles.

The heavy late snowpack is also contributing to high water and fast-moving streams in the park.  Visitors are encouraged to be mindful of these additional hazards and to be especially attentive and keep children away from the banks of rivers and streams.

The park’s wonderful ranger-led programs are in full swing every day with something for everyone from 30-minute to 4-hour programs.  Take a nature walk, learn about wildflowers and wildlife. Have little ones?  Check out the park’s great children’s programs.  

The park’s Bear Lake and Moraine Park shuttles are now running from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.  The Hiker Shuttle from the Estes Park Visitor Center with stops at Beaver Meadows Visitor Center and Park & Ride is now running from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

As always, the three reservation campgrounds in the park are full for the holiday weekend and the first-come, first-served sites are expected to be full by Friday morning.  Fireworks are prohibited in Rocky Mountain National Park.

To learn more about current trail conditions, park programs, shuttle schedules and more, please visit the park’s official website at www.nps.gov/romo or call the park’s Information Office at (970) 586-1206.