GRAND JUNCTION, COLORADO
colorado national monument
Intermediate
From $525
1-Day
PRIVATE TripS
March- May & Oct-December
EXPLORE THE NATIONAL MONUMNET
DISCOVER
| OVERVIEW |
Join us on Otto's Route and climb through history. The first climbers drilled and chopped many holds in the soft sandstone to aid up this route with pipes placed in holes they created. Now, only the holes remain, giving the route a moderate feel and novel climber experience. Its standout summit, exposure, and beautiful setting make for a remarkable adventure.
Colorado National Monument is a world-renowned desert landscape home to many scenic towers, and sandstone crack climbing very akin to it's Moab counterpart. Independence Monument is the main attraction and is sought after for its stunning beauty and unlikely stature.
| GALLERY |
| ITINERARY AND PREP |
Pre-Trip call
Three days is a lot of planning! Our team extends the offer to schedule a call before your trip. We’ll discuss good places to stay in town, your intentions and goals for Moab, route options, review gear, and share a general time plan for each day of the trip so you can plan other activities.
DAY One
You will meet your guide at the Red Rock Cafe and Bakery and share a quick morning hello, and the day’s itinerary. The team will make any small adjustments to the climbing kit and then take a stroll to our climb.
One day one, we typically split the day into a morning and later afternoon session at two separate climbing areas this way you can sample more rock and we can chase the sun or shade depending on the season. We often take a seista break in town for lunch.
An integral part of climbing is familiarity with the area and its history. Our team shares stories about the area, the climbing, and town as we move around Moab.
Day Two
Based on group interests, this day can be another cragging day, a new experience climbing a desert tower, or even a technical canyon in the area. Dinner and live music can often be found over the weekend in Moab, making the evening of day two a great time to explore Moab at night.
Day Three
It’s time to tackle that desert tower and today is the day! If you climbed Ancient Art Tower yesterday, then today we might push for Castleton Tower to round out a perfect three days in Moab. It is often customary (but not mandatory) to have a meal back in the town to celebrate the great days spent in the mountains!
Technical Experience
Guests should have knowledge and ability to lead belay and tie in. Traditional climbing follower experience is helpful but not required.
Fitness
Moderate physical climbing fitness is recommended. Desert climbing is often steep, requiring good technique and solid upper body strength. The general style of the desert is crack climbing, which to start, feels very physical. You will learn over these three days, trust us, but a healthy dose of humility and non-attachment to grades will make your experience that much better.
CASTLETON TOWER
FIST JAMMING IN MOAB
- Group climbing equipment
- Climbing helmet, harness, shoes, multi-pitch backpack
- Personal climbing gear supplements: carabiners, belay device, lanyards
- Certified guides
- Hotel accommodations in Moab
- Town dinners / libations
- Transportation to the venue and crags
- Snacks and water for the climbs
- Travel insurance
- Tips for guides
| WHATS INCLUDED |
CRAGGING CLASSICS MOAB
ANCIENT ART TOWER
| PRICING DETAILS |
GRAND JUNCTION, COLORADO
colroado national monument
March- May & Oct-December
1-Day
Intermediate
Single: $525
Two Guests: $350 Per Guest
Private TripS
March- May & Oct-December
| QUESTIONS |
colorado national monument.
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Moab offers all types of accommodations, from camping to high-end retreat spa ranches. For more information, visit DiscoverMoab.com.
For high-end accommodations, we recommend Gonzo Inn. Located downtown at 100 W. 200 S., Gonzo Inn offers luxurious and spacious rooms with an abundance of local flavor.
Equally impressive, the Sorrel River Ranch Resort & Spa’s private location along the Colorado River offers scenic views, luxury cabin suites with hydrotherapy tubs, full spa services, and massage therapy to soothe tired climbing muscles.
Middle-of-the-road (but very nice) lodging is available at Best Western Canyonlands Inn, located at 16 S. Main Street.
Even more economical is the Lazy Lizard Hostel (435-259-6057), 1213 S. Hwy. 191. Dorms ($10/night), private rooms ($24/night), and log cabins are available. Dorms are male, female, or co-ed and accommodate 4-8 people per room.
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Probably, Yes! Moab offers climbing for everyone, including people new to multi-pitch climbing. Our team works with you throughout each day to help build confidence while on route and can meet you where you’re at no matter the experience level.
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Yes, we provide the following gear at no charge. Helmet, harness, climbing shoes, and a small multi-pitch backpack. We can also provide additional climbing equipment such as carabiners and a belay device upon request.
While booking you can provide your gear needs via our questionnaire or you can email climb@smilemountainguides.com with personal gear requests.
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Please click here to review our domestic cancellation policy.
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AIR TRAVEL
There are regular flights to Salt Lake City, Denver, and Grand Junction.
Two flights arrive in Moab from Salt Lake City, UT on Delta/Skywest Moab Airport.
We suggest making your reservation as soon as possible as these flights fill up quickly.
If flights are sold out, your options include flying into Grand Junction- GJ Airport, Salt Lake City- SLC Airport, or Denver- DIA Airport and renting a car.
Grand Junction is the closest option, just two hours away. Salt Lake City is next at four hours and Denver is five and a half hours drive from Moab.
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Smile focuses on small groups and ratios that meet or exceed the professional mountain guiding standard. In Moab we have a 2:1 ratio for multi-pitch days and can accommodate a 4:1 ratio for cragging days.
Depending on the specific group goals for these three days, we can accommodate a maximum group size of 8 climbers.
If the group wants to pay for an additional guide for the full three days, pricing remains the same. If the group only wants to bring another guide on for the multi-pitch days, we will charge the group our standard rates for that guide for the day. $525 at 1:1 or $700 at 2:1 ratio
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Please email:
climb@smilemountainguides.com for more information about this program.