Classic Test Pieces

Ready to get pumped? Our favorite ice climbing test pieces are stunning, hard, and must do’s for those comfortable on WI 5 / M5. The climbs listed here require previous days of climbing with Peak or a substantial ice climbing resume.

Mountain Trip will now be handling booking for Classic Test Pieces. Please call 970-369-1153 to book.

The following list is merely a selection of some of our favorites and is no means exhaustive. If you’d like more options, please reach out to us…there is more than a lifetime’s worth of routes here!

Ames Ice Hose

Ames Ice Hose is one of the most spectacular WI 5 routes in Colorado. This gem is just outside of Telluride and gifts climbers 3 unique pitches of steep ice. Conditions on this route can vary wildly and dictates which pitch is the crux. In thin conditions, the first pitch demands mixed climbing up to M5/6 and serves as the crux. When the ice comes in abundantly, the first pitch is purely ice from WI4-WI5. The second pitch is wonderfully unique stemming in a thin icy corner. And finally, The pumpy finale! This last pitch is 50 meters of the most sustained WI4 you’ll EVER climb…the cherry on top of a fantastic route!

Bridal Veil Falls

The uber classic, mega steep North American classic! First climbed with with straight shafted tools by Jeff Lowe and Mike Weiss in 1978 and subsequently featured on “Wide World of Sports.

Bird Brain Boulevard

The historic mixed route of the San Juan Mountains. When this route went up it was groundbreaking in it’s day. It helped establish the standard for modern mixed climbing internationally.

Group Size

This is a private program, no one else will be paired with your party. The maximum guest to guide ratio is 2:1.

Season

December – March (conditions dependent)

Time and Place

Depending on what route you climb, this trip meets at either the Ouray Mountain Trip office (801 Main Street) or Telluride Mountain Trip office (135 W Colorado Ave, #2a). You’ll talk with the guide before the trip to work out a detailed plan for the day.

Equipment List

All the technical climbing equipment required for this outing is included.

Really, just call or text! We specialize in getting to know you and planning the best trip possible with our partner, you.