When Fran contacted us to book a trip up Mt. Crested Butte’s Guides Ridge in early June we were looking forward to another great day on the ridge with another great client, as per usual.   The day ended up being anything but usual.

Turns out at 75, Fran is the oldest person CBMG has ever taken up the Guides Ridge to date!  The youngest person was 8 … quite an age span, huh?!

Not that age should ever define a person, but let’s be honest, our society tends to expect a limited range of activities from people in their 70s; gardening, bingo, nightly news spectating, fussing over grandchildren, and generally puttering about for example.  Mountain climbing, on the other hand, is probably not the first thing that comes to mind when one thinks of how a senior citizen might spend their day.  Well, now we have Fran (and many other adventurous seniors out there) to thank for debunking our ridiculous stereotypes and showing us what non-conventional possibilities await us in our golden years.

Fran was gracious enough to let me tag along the day he attempted the Guides Ridge with CBMG guide, Scott Krankkala.  Bringing with him a sense of humbleness and quiet enthusiasm, Fran was a true joy to climb with.  Below are some pictures from our day …

Scott (left) and Fran gearing up for the Guides Ridge at the top of the Silver Queen lift. 

Hiking across The Peel to the Guides Ridge.

Starting up the route.

Great view of Snodgrass (upper right), Long Lake (upper left) & the town of Mt. Crested Butte below.

Stopping for a quick breather before heading up the next pitch. 

What a view!!!

Scot belaying Fran off an anchor through one of the more difficult sections of the Guides Ridge. 

Checking out the exposure.  It’s a long way down!

Fran contemplating his next move. 

Almost to the top…

Scott & Fran exchanging a congratulatory handshake as they reach the summit.

Sweet summit success!  Strong work, Fran!

Fran, unlike many mountain lovers, started exploring mountain climbing relativity late in life, essentially once he retired.  Before that there just wasn’t time, he explained, what with working, raising a family and all the other things life throws at us early on.  Since discovering his passion for the mountains Fran has continued to push himself on new, higher and more difficult peaks including some in WY and AK.   Think about that the next time you find yourself making excuses to not try something new … it’s never too late and you’re never too old.  Kinda reminds me of a Tom Petty lyric -

“Well, I don’t know, but I’ve been told you never slow down, you never grow old”

Here’s to many more years of not slowing down!  Thanks for the inspiration, Fran!

-Tiff (CBMG Staff)

The 2012 CBMG Women’s Climbing Clinic was a blast! Strong women and small ratios allowed our group to cover a lot of different skills throughout the days. Day 1 was geared for those new to climbing, but we were able to cover many advanced skills. We started off the day learning how to set a top rope climb, how to rappel, belay, tie-in, and different rock climbing techniques. After climbing all that we could, we covered how to belay a lead climber and how to lead climb (the climber brings the rope up and clips it into bolts or natural protection in the rock). We then set up some mock leading (the climber “leads” while having another rope for back-up protection in case of a fall).Annie Yoder went for the real thing and successfully lead her first sport climb – Congratulations Annie! The day wrapped up with more climbing and learning how to safely “clean” an anchor and rappel back to the ground.

Day 2 was geared more toward understanding rock climbing gear and learning how to safely place gear and build anchors. We spent some time placing gear in the cracks and then put our placements to the test.  One participant commented,  “I understand how they work, but I still don’t see how they could hold all that weight?”.

Well, what better way to test the gear than to put on the harness, clip in to the gear, and bounce with all your might! The picture below is Mary Tubb giving it her all to dislodge a very tiny stopper…and yes…it held.

After removing the mystery surrounding all that climbing gear, we finished up the afternoon with some crack climbing technique and continued practice cleaning gear, cleaning the anchor and rapelling to the ground.

The women’s climbing clinics not only offer a great way to become more confident in climbing, it is also a great way to meet other awesome, adventurous, women! We had a ton of fun, laughed a lot and learned a ton. Crested Butte Mountain Guides will be holding another clinic towards the end of the summer, so keep your eyes peeled for our posters around town! If there are any special requests – such as lead-climbing, multi-pitch, etc., just give the office a shout at 970-349-5430 to put in your request!

-Laura Chase (CBMG Guide)

CBMG staff and guides are beginning to return to town after their off-season adventures elsewhere.  When you live in paradise sometimes you’ve just got to leave every now and again if only to remind yourself how wonderful it is to call Crested Butte home.

Here’s a photo essay on what CBMG’ers have been up to for the past couple of months…

“This spring I went on a climbing trip to Joshua Tree, CA and Red Rocks, NV.  After four days of climbing in Joshua Tree we started our drive across the Mojave Desert to Las Vegas. While driving we saw the Kelso Sand Dunes and they were calling our name.  We did a quick detour and scrambled to the top of the tallest dune, where we grabbed this Summit shot. The random detour was, for me, one of the most memorable moments of the trip.”  -Laura Chase (CBMG guide)

Despite our best efforts we counldn’t get CBMG guide Scott Krankkala to send us a pic from time spent in Mexico with his family this off-season (we were hoping for a beach pic with the standard issue umbrella drink).  Instead he was way more excited to tell us about the early season climbing he did in the Black Canyon.

“I spent most of my off season working on a wind farm in Abilene, TX, and perfecting my ability to grow a handlebar mustache.”  -Kyle Mattingly (CBMG Guide)  Kyle included a pic of his new mustache, but knowing how his wife feels about it we thought it best not to put it on the blog.

“I started off the mud season getting the last bits of snow on the San Juan Hut Tour. Five different huts, six days, eight people on the most incredible trip ever.  Shortly after I spent 5 days on a solo bike trip in Utah trying to get into shape, and clearing my mind.  Solo time was followed by a climbing extravaganza out at Indian Creek with great friends, dance parties, and lots of crack climbing.  After licking my wounds in Indian Creek we headed out to California for some skiing, alpine climbing, and good ol’ Yosemite climbing.” -Amy Stevens (CBMG Guide)

“This is me and my dog ‘Moose’ hanging out on the Oregon coast, where I spent a couple weeks traveling, camping and of course enjoying good beer with my girlfriend. It was a perfect end to my winter!” – Patrick Erley (CBMG Guide)

CBMG Guide Evan Ross spent his off-season putting in some long miles on his mountain bike in preperation for the upcoming bike races of the summer.  In an extreamly rare moment of stillness we caught him enjoying the view in Fruita, CO.

While most of us tried to avoid working during the off-season , CBMG Owner/Lead Guide Jayson Simons-Jones was hard at it in Valdez, AK teaching two back to back ski mountaineering courses.  Yeah, judging by this pic we don’t feel too sorry for him either.

And then there’s me, Tiff, CBMG General Manager.  I started my off-season vacation with a climbing trip to Shelf Road.  From there I headed to Furita where I attempted to step out of my biking comfort zone and started playing with steeper drops.  Three trips over the handle bars and several ibuprofen later I drove to Buena Vista, CO and rounded out my vaca with some whitewater kayaking on the Arkansas River.  Pretty perfect.

Newly rejuvenated and back home from our vacations we’re now ready to help YOU make the most of your summer vacation to Crested Butte.  Want hike from Crested Butte to Aspen in a day?  We’ll show you the way and give you lunch while we’re at it.  Want to get the family out for a day of rock climbing?  We’d love to show you the “ropes”.  Want to experience Crested Butte’s infamous single track?  Let our guides help you pick the perfect trail to suit your skills, ability and goals.  Already familiar with the CB bike trails, but want to experience them in the new way?  Check out our vehicle-supported overnight mountain bike trips.  Want to stand on the top of a mountain and take it all in?  Take advantage of our Peak of the Week Summer Hiking series.

We all love visiting new places, but in the end there’s no place like home, especially when home is Crested Butte.  We know this place better than just about anybody out there – let us show you the best of the Butte!

Want to learn more about the guides/staff here at CBMG?  Check out our Guide’s Profile Page.

-Tiff (CBMG staff)

Back in the beginning of November we brought you a blog post called The Transition; our take on the inevitable, often difficult transition from fall into winter. Well, now it’s time for the flip-side: winter into spring. I’m confident I speak for us all when I say … BRING IT ON!!!

It’s been my observation that we’re far less reluctant when it comes to this particular seasonal transition. Rather than dragging our feet like grumpy children we rush in headfirst like over-eager teenagers amped up on 100% pure joy. Granted, sometimes we can be a bit premature to welcome spring back into our lives.  Let’s be honest, how many times have you found yourself negotiating the slush puddles of your town in flip-flops that should have stayed in the closet another few weeks? You can hardly can blame us though.  After nearly 6 months cooped up in the house, wrapping any exposed skin in layers upon layers of hats, gloves, sweaters and scarves, and day after day cramming our feet into mini-prisons (AKA: ski boots) the sunshine just feels … so … damn … good!

That isn’t to say spring doesn’t bring with it a whole host of inconveniences. Spring is certainly the most bi-polar of all the seasons; warm, pleasant days suddenly interrupted by bone-chilling hail storms always leaves one wondering why we opted to leave the jacket at home.  Instead of shoving our feet into ski boots we get to partake in a month of muck boot fashion as the snow melts creating a virtual mud landscape as far as the eye can see.  And don’t forget about the annual “first sunburn of spring”, because it takes exactly 6 months to forget that sunscreen exists, but only 15 minutes for unprotected skin to turn into lobster meat.  Yet through the aloe-induced haze, the repeated hail peltings, and mud we seem to forgive spring it’s little inconveniences. Why? Because it’s spring (!!!) and spring is fabulous and infectious and thrilling!

From an outdoor enthusiast’s perspective the single most thrilling aspect of spring is the sheer number of possibilities that come along with it. We suddenly go from our season-issued snow sports to a mulit-sport extravaganza! Skiing, biking, rock climbing, hiking – you can do it all in the spring.  It’s the fully loaded, all-you-can-eat-buffet of seasons!

We here at CBMG have been taking advantage of the incredible spring weather and all the outdoor fun that comes with it.  Here’s some eye candy to illustrate what we’ve been up to in the past few weeks …

Spring ski mountaineering!  Our AK Ski Mountaineering Camps are underway, but it’s not too late to sign up for our upcoming CO camps, starting April 19, 2012.  And don’t forget about CBMG’s annual Alpine Skills Clinic June 15 – 17, 2012.

Taylor Canyon has been receiving a healthy dose of daily sunshine making for some sweet early season rock climbing:

The Black Canyon has started seeing some of the first climbers of the season:

The Utah desert is in prime spring climbing condition as well:

We’ve also been rallying our bikes with the recent opening of Hartman Rocks world-class single track.  You know your bike is just begging for it (it’s probably also begging for some tire pressure and a good chain lubing, but you already knew that, right?).

And of course, no spring day would be complete without a little time spent chillin’ on the CBMG benches taking in some rays:

Now if there was only a way to ensure we didn’t have to deal with the obligatory spring snow storm this transition would be truly seamless!  We wish you all a wonderful spring and want to remind you that it’s never too early to start planning your summer vacation to Crested Butte.  Our summer calendar is filling up quickly so contact us to book your trip today!

-Tiff, CBMG Staff