Climb The Black Canyon

"Big enough to be overwhelming, still intimate enough to feel the pulse of time, Black Canyon of the Gunnison exposes you to some of the steepest cliffs, oldest rock, and craggiest spires in North America. With two million years to work, the Gunnison River, along with the forces of weathering, has sculpted this vertical wilderness of rock, water, and sky." [NPS]

Just a 2 hours country drive south of Aspen lies the north rim of the Black Canyon. The walls of the North Rim host some of the best moderate climbs in the Canyon. Accessed by steep gully descents, sometimes via rappels, climbing up and out of the Black Canyon with the Gunnison river roaring below is a wild and memorable experience.

Some of the classic climbs accessed via the North Rim are Maiden Voyage (5.9), Casual route (5.8), Casually off route (5.9), Leisure Route (5.9 R), Russian Arete IV (5.9), Escape Artist (5.10-), Comic Relief (5.10), Journey Home IV (5.9), and the ultra classic Scenic Cruise V (5.10).

The Black has long been a favorite venue for Aspen Expeditions guides' personal climbing adventures. We are very excited to recently add this amazing venue to our guided offerings, right out our back door.

Let us introduce you to the adventure of climbing in the Black!