Cosmic Choss: The valley of rock but not climbers

Cosmic Choss: The valley of rock but not climbers 

The Arkansas River Valley is home to an enormous amount of exposed rock stretching from Leadville (Lake County) through Chaffee County (Buena Vista, Salida, Nathrop, etc.) and down Bighorn Sheep Canyon but it is not home to many climbers. The valley is one of Colorado’s most geologically distinct regions.  It sits at a petrological crossroad, a classic high-elevation rift valley framed by dramatic fault-bounded mountain ranges and filled with a complex mix of volcanic deposits around salida, glacial features on Independence pass and exposed Precambrian bedrock. 

It is home to the highest concentration of 14,000 ft peaks in the United States that can be climbed with minimal technical challenge. In the shadows of these giant Peaks the ideal conditions to create short powerful and compelling boulder problems is spread out among the numerous valleys and tributaries that feed the Arkansas River.

There are no areas where the formations contribute to a conveniently high concentration of quality Boulder problems.

The quartzite hills above Buena Vista provide the most accessible boulders with sharp crystals ,face routes and crack systems that rarely top out higher than 8 or 9 feet. Even the most popular areas like the “tunnels,” the “Room” or “turtle rock” have more than half a dozen routes. What the valley lacks in conveniently accessible problems it makes up for and diversity and adventure.

Outside of the most popular bouldering areas you will find countless more backcountry boulders for the more adventurous boulderer. It is a good place to be a climber if solitude and new routes is a priority.