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Climbing / Mountaineering

Between the high-elevation Elk Mountains and the developed limestone cragging in the nearby town of Gunnison, there's a wide variety of quality climbing around Crested Butte.

Local Listings:

Half-day Climbing Trips with AVA - Half-day rock climbing trips in the breathtaking Arkansas Valley!
Half-day rock climbing trips in the breathtaking Arkansas Valley!
Phone (877) 723-8464
Adventures To The EdgeCrested Butte, CO
Mountain climbing, skiing and hiking are all available at Adventures To the Edge in Crested Butte, Colorado...
Phone (970) 209-3980
The official City of Gunnison Parks and Recreation web page, provides information about the community's€™s recreational activities...
Phone (970) 641-8060
Nested high in the Rockies of southwestern Colorado, Harmel's Ranch Resort provides families with the ultimate dude ranch vacation adventure...
Phone (970) 641-1740
Whatever your sport, Rock and Roll Sports has the gear to get you going!..
Phone (970) 641-9150
Rock climbing, fishing, kayaking, rafting... whatever gets your blood rushing, we can arrange it!..
Phone (970) 641-3131

  • Most rock climbing is found around the nearby town of Gunnison, which has over a dozen developed areas, including Taylor and Black Canyons.
  • Crested Butte's uncrowded bouldering area, Skyland Boulders, has epic routes on clean rock with great views.
  • Crested Butte climbing guides offer mountaineering trips on local big peaks and instruction on technical rock walls.

Overview

Most of the developed rock climbing is closer to Gunnison, a short drive from Crested Butte. There's almost endless mountaineering in the Elk Mountains surrounding the Butte.

Where to go climbing & mountaineering

  • Conundrum, Castle Peak and the Maroon Bells are popular 14,000-foot peaks near Crested Butte that offer many intermediate to extreme mountaineering routes.
  • Skyland Boulders, east of downtown Crested Butte and accessed from Upper Loop Trail, is considered by many to have the finest bouldering in Colorado and unparalleled scenery.
  • The steep walls of the Black Canyon are home to almost 100 trad routes. You should be able to climb at least 5.8 on a top rope and be comfortable placing protection to climb here.

Guided Tours & Rentals

Crested Butte climbing guides can take you to the clouds on top of a local 14er or show you around the best technical climbing routes in one of the most beautiful outdoor classrooms on Earth.

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