Cloudsplitter Mountain Guides

Wayne and Lise, hangin' out.

 

What goes up, must come down.

After a month of travel devoted to training, professional development and the AMGA Aspirant Alpine Guides exam/course, it's nice to get back home to the Adirondacks and get on track with good old fashioned summer rock climbing in shorts and a t-shirt. And when it gets hot, there's nothing better than cooling down after climbing with dips in Chapel Pond and the Ausable River.

Wayne, Lise and Jesse getting comfy at a mid-cliff belay stance.

Over the 15 years that I've been mountain guiding, I've observed a pattern to the seasons. Winter is a frenzy of enthusiastic ice climbers, aspiring alpinists and motivated backcountry skiers- all eager to make the most of their winter holidays. In the summertime (aside from the alpine climbing trips where we have a definite summit objective) there's always a subtle shift towards more family oriented 'intro to climbing' days, scenic multi-pitch climbs w/ couples and friends, and group climbing programs contracted with youth and adventure travel camps. 

Another student discovers the beauty of recreational top-rope climbing- all the fun of climbing without the fear of falling!

This past week was a good example. On Saturday I had the chance to climb with Wayne and Lise from Ottawa. Wayne and his buddies have become regular guests for an annual winter climbing weekend here in the Adirondacks. But this time he left his teammates (and the kids) at home and instead brought his wife Lise along to see what it's all about. We had a great day- learning about rock climbing, practicing the fundamental skills and sharing the opportunities for challenge and adventure. We laid the groundwork with a full day of the basics at a great beginnner crag near here- top-roping, rappeling and a lead-follow climb. Next time we're all set to head right for a multi-pitch climb, maybe with a scenic picnic ledge up high...

Wayne refreshing his rappel skills.

On Tuesday we had a repeat visit from Jay, Brooks and the boys from Mountain Element - an outdoor adventure program for teenagers based in Baltimore, Maryland. They took a break from a full week of hiking, camping and rafting to join us for a day of rock climbing. With our low guide:climber ratios, we were able to break right into small groups and after a quick primer on technique, equipment and methods, we cut them loose on an array of top-roped climbs and belayed rappels, as well as teaching them how to belay each other and work together as a climbing team. Of course, boys will be boys, and a friendly game of speed-climbing inevitably ensued.

Top-rope day at King Philip's Spring Wall- considered by some guides to 'the best intro climbing crag in the country.'

 

After climbing all morning, a Mountain Element student practices a belayed rappel.

Ready...set...go!

That's summertime around here- a great chance to get out and work on that ticklist of classic climbs, share a fun and exciting day outside with a friend or partner, or to set up a private small group program for your friends, family or co-workers.

Now is the time to get out in Adirondacks. The summer tourist season hasn't quite kicked in yet, and our schedule still has good availability before we head out to guide alpine rock climbs in Washington's North Cascades and a Mt. Rainier summit climb at the end of July....