Wichita, Kansas natives Dave Wells & Dave Burks recently joined CBMG for 2 BIG days of Colorado Fourteener climbing on the Maroon Bells & Pyramid Peak. Coming directly from 1,200′ in the flatlands, The Daves’ immediately tackled Pyramid Peak under cloudy and somewhat threatening weather. A 4:00 am start from the trailhead put us up above treeline as the sun was rising, and gave us a good jump on the weather, and even worse — the crowds. After witnessing another climber nearly knocked off of Pyramid’s upper ledges by a member in their own party knowcking down some rock, we were highly motivated to reach the summit and descend before any other climbers could jeopardize our health and success. The trickiest part of the day seemed in fact to be navigating the crowds of folks whom were lost or off-route on the intricate route-finding on Pyramid Peak. All in all the day turned out with a successful summit and a roundtrip time of 10 hours, and found us enjoying a cold beer at the trailhead by 2:00 pm.

Motivated by our success on Pyramid, the next day found us walking out of the trailhead at 3:00 am, jazzed up to attempt the complete Bells Traverse from South Maroon to North Maroon and back. This long, involved, and intricate technical route requires a strong party, good stable weather, and minimal traffic to be done safely and successfully. Because of good late summer snow conditions still in on South Maroon, we chose a direct line up the “Y Couloir”, to the summit of South Maroon, saving time and distance. On this route we were greeted with almost 3,000′ of good firm summer snow climbing with pitches up to 50 degrees in places. This proved to be the crux of the day for The Daves’, being fairly new to steep snow and crampon climbing, and thus it took us 7 hours to reach the summit of South Maroon. From here The Daves’ were back on ground they excelled on (loose rock), and we were able to complete the technical traverse between the 2 summits under threatening skies and amidst crowds of unprepared and off-route climbers. From the summit of North Maroon we were continuosly chased on the descent by a darkening and menacing sky above…that kept us moving despite being on the go continuosly for over 12 hours and being completely out of food and water. After a 3:00 am start, we were back at the trailhead, dry and still ahead of the storms, enjoying a well deserved cold beer 15 hours after starting.

Overall, The Daves’ logged 10,000′ of vertical in just over 36 hours, and tagged 3 of the most difficult and challenging 14er summits, putting their total at 34 now. This week they are off to the Crestones with CBMG guide Johnny MacKinnon to try and grab 3 more technical summits before heading back to the high altitude training ground of Wichita, KS.

Congrats boys, thanks for a fun and safe adventure and we’re looking forward to hearing about the Crestones…

—Your Guide, Jayson Simons-Jones

CBMG & the cast and crew from Globetrekker: Treks in Wild America got together over the weekend of July 19 & 20, 2008, to film a segment of their upcoming Fall broadcast on PBS, the Travel Channel, and National Geographic Television. The tour and subsequent filming took place over 3 days in Crested Butte, and featured a documentary style story on the history of the modern day mountain bike, and it’s significance in Crested Butte, CO. After visiting the Mountain Bike Hall Of Fame Museum here in CB, the crew spent two full days documenting on camera the historic ‘klunker bike’ ride from Crested Butte to Aspen via Pearl Pass….an event that some argue was the catalyst for the birth of the modern day mountain bike.

For 2 loooong days, CBMG guides (Ian Hatchett, Johnny MacKinnon, Laura Chase, & Jayson Simons-Jones), biked, shuttled, cooked, and sherpa carried alot of gear and film gear up and over Pearl Pass ensuring a successful shoot and bike tour. Globetrekker host / star Holly Morris learned mountain biking techniques and tips as well as experiencing the joy and pain of this scenic but grueling ride, on camera from CBMG Guide / Owner Jayson Simons-Jones. The pair shuttled and rode the historic ride between the 2 mountain towns, with an overnight vehicle supported camp set-up half-way. The small film crew chronicled much of the ride and the drama and trials and tribulations associated with it’s length and difficulty through Holly & Jayson’s on-screen presence.

CBMG Guides Ian, Laura, & Johnny helped the two riders focus on riding, filming, and their lines (the difficult part for Jayson), by being vehicle support, camp hosts, helping hands, and carrying huge packs filled with their own gear as well as heavy film gear up and over the 12,705′ Pearl Pass on foot. Huge thanks for their hard work…making the improbable, possible.

With such a heavy winter this past year, their was in fact real drama and hesitation at getting so many folks with so much gear up and over the still snowed in Pearl Pass. Small but steep and exposed snow slopes had to be negotiated on the CB side, with a long stretch encountered on the Aspen side for the first few miles down. All in all, the CBMG crew pulled off a successfully guided mission, allowing Globetrekker to film the entirety of the route, despite difficult conditions and threatening weather. And, the Globetrekker film crew (Jeff, Aram, Ian, & Holly), were a fun and enjoyable group to work with, and we trust, will represent CBMG and the Crested Butte area in a favorable light in their upcoming documentary.  

Look for the episode entitled: Treks in a Wild America, to air on PBS, the Travel Channel, and National Geographic sometime this Sept./Oct.

Thanks again to the CBMG crew for making this trip go smoothly and successfully, and thanks to the Globetrekker crew for an advetureous experience and in helping to showcase CBMG on national tv.

–Jayson Simons-Jones

Summer represents many different things for different people. For some, it’s skiing well into July or enjoying the high-country’s amazing wildflowers. For the millions of American youth; summer simply represents freedom and an opportunity to escape the tortures of classroom life.

For the last several summer seasons, CBMG guides have had the pleasure of instructing Rock Climbing for some of America’s more adventurous youth as part of summer programs with Moondance Adventures. These two-day custom programs provide a fun and challenging introduction to rock climbing and rappelling in the rugged San Juan mountains.  

The Moondance crew regroups after the approach.

Lake City, located about 100mi. south of Crested Butte boasts perhaps what is the best kept secret of Colorado climbing: Gods Crag. With routes ranging from excellent novice top-rope climbing to desperate high-level sportclimbing, God’s Crag has the goods.

God’s Crag

Challenging oneself while learning the ropes in one of the most picturesque crags in the country will surely bring a smile to even the most apprehensive of climber’s face. Contact CBMG for a custom tailored instructional program.

CBMG Guide Mike Bromberg instructs a student on the art of safe rappelling.

Thanks Moondance for another great trip,

CBMG Guides Mike Bromberg and Kyle Mattingly 

This summer the wildflowers have been amazing, and Crested Butte is truly living up to its name as “The Wildflower Capital of Colorado.” Peak snow levels and major snowmelt run-off in the mountains have given our watertable a much needed boost, leaving the wildflowers blooming even thicker and more colorful then usual. In mid-July long-time CBMG clients; Jim, JaNay, Alexa, and Meliea Oestmann enjoyed a few days of incredibly beautiful wildflower hiking, and tagged the summit of Mount Baldy (12,800′) as well.

Every day brought us cloudless and sunny Colorado weather and remarkeable views. The girls joined us for the first hike and climb of Baldy, before heading off to their annual attendance at the Crested Butte Academy Summer Running Camp, held here in the Gunnison Valley. Both are Nebraska state running stars at their schools, and come to the Crested Butte high country to further refine their skills. Needless to say, these girls enjoyed the challenge and beauty of the local backcountry, as much as anyone.

The 3rd day together found Jim, JaNay, and I enjoying a frigid early morning barefoot crossing of West Brush Creek, that was quick to numb the feet but heighten the senses. For our early morning suffering we were rewarded with incredible neck deep wildflowers and unending vistas on the Teocalli Ridge Trail. If anyone reading this is considering some Crested Butte area hiking, the time is now to catch peak wildflower season.

Thanks for some fun filled days of hiking and scrambling with you all, and I’m looking forward to seeing you guys again next year.

–Your Guide,

Jayson Simons-Jones