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The Ice Climbing Season is Underway in Ouray, Colorado

By Debbie Laity

Real Estate Agent with Cedaredge Land Company

January 03, 2013 12:55 AM

The Ice Climbing Season is Underway in Ouray, Colorado. The Ouray Ice Park is open for the season. This park is free to the public. Ouray, Colorado is considered one of the best ice climbing spots in the country, and the park gives visitors a chance to watch the ice climbers up close and personal.

The Ouray Ice Park was started by locals in 1994. Piping was strung up and water was sprayed in this mile long natural gorge to form the ice. It didn't take long for word to spread, and the the area soon became a favorite with local climbers. Now there are over 200 named routes, and the town hosts an Ice Climbing Festival every year. The festival is in it's 18th year. Get more information on the park and more history on the park, by clicking here.

The Town of Ouray really got behind the idea, and the park is here to stay. Locals have coined the phrase...Get your axe in gear. An ice ax is an important part of a climber's gear.

The Ouray Ice Festival starts January 10th and runs through the 13th this year. This event is well known throughout the country, and there are professional as well as novice climbers competing. Get your hotel reservations early. This small mountain town fills up early.

I've lived on Colorado's Western Slope for over 22 years. I love this area and all it has to offer, and I enjoy sharing what I know about my home. As a real estate broker, I also love to share my expertise in this area as well. If you need any real estate information for Montrose County, or Delta County, Colorado...please give me a call.

Debbie Laity

GRI, SFR, REO Specialist, CNE, AHWD, BPOR, e-Pro

Broker Associate, Cedaredge Land Company

970-589-2886 Cell

For a complete list of Delta County and Montrose County property for sale click here.

For more information on local events and happenings click here.

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Roy Kelley

Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Thanks for sharing information on your local ice climbing challenges. I would love to see the scenery.

Have a most productive January as home buyers continue to take advantage of the very low mortgage interest rates.

Jan 03, 2013 10:15 AM

Debbie Laity

Cedaredge Land Company - Cedaredge, CO

Your Real Estate Resource for Delta County, CO

Roy...I have other blogs on Ouray you can check out. I hope to get to go to the festival. NOW is a great time to buy. Interest rates are still low and prices are still down.

Jan 03, 2013 10:25 AM

Joy Daniels

Joy Daniels Real Estate Group, Ltd. - Harrisburg, PA

If I liked cold weather I think this would be an awesome experience. people in your area should appreciate your sharing it with them.

Jan 03, 2013 11:42 AM

Debbie Laity

Cedaredge Land Company - Cedaredge, CO

Your Real Estate Resource for Delta County, CO

Hi, Joy...it's been extra cold lately. Thanks for stopping by.

Jan 03, 2013 09:54 PM

Joan Cox

House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO

Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Debbie, I was hoping you would do a post on this subject! Saw it on the news and thought of you immediately. Looks so intriguing, but I don't do heights.

Jan 04, 2013 04:00 AM

Debbie Laity

Cedaredge Land Company - Cedaredge, CO

Your Real Estate Resource for Delta County, CO

Hi, Joan...it's just looks too cold for me. Thanks for stopping by.

Jan 04, 2013 04:32 AM

Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties

Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN

The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

Do people actually climb that ice? It is beautiful to look at but all I can think of is more broken bones.

Jan 04, 2013 12:05 PM

Joan Cox

House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO

Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

I cannot imagine anyone wanting to risk their lives climbing this ice, but there are adventure seekers out there.

Jan 04, 2013 11:18 PM

Ron Marshall

Marshall Enterprises - Saint Michael, MN

Birdhouse Builder Extraordinaire

One of the best ice climbing areas, and it is free? Wow, Debbie. That is amazing!

Jan 05, 2013 02:32 AM

Don Sabinske

Don Sabinske, Sabinske & Associates Inc. - Zimmerman, MN

Sabinske & Associates Inc.

That photo is stunning. And, I agree with Joan. I would rather snowmobile than climb ice!

Jan 05, 2013 03:27 AM

Suzanne McLaughlin

Sabinske & Associates, Inc. (Albertville, St. Michael) - Saint Michael, MN

Sabinske & Associates, Realtor

Not in a million years would you catch me climbing ice. I don't even like stepladders and I hate cold!

But, what a great localism post, Debbie. Have fun this weekend making sales!

Jan 05, 2013 04:32 AM

Tanya Van Blake-Coleman

Van Blake-Coleman Realty, St. Thomas/www.talk-to-Tanya.com - St Thomas, VI

Improving the Quality of Your Life

Great picture, but I think i will enjoy it from here. Thanks,

Jan 05, 2013 04:34 AM

Ron and Alexandra Seigel

Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA

Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Debbie,

Hi Don mentioned you, and this a fun post...It would be fun to watch this sport in action. A

Jan 05, 2013 05:05 AM

Debbie Laity

Cedaredge Land Company - Cedaredge, CO

Your Real Estate Resource for Delta County, CO

Hi, Debbie...People really do climb this ice. It's a big sport out here. Big enough for a festival dedicated just to ice climbing.

Hi, Joan...this isn't for me, either.

Hi, Ron...yep, the locals got this park started and now it's open to everyone.

Hi, Don...I would rather snowmobile, too. My machine is old and I haven't used it much in the last few years because it's a big under powered. I'm thinking I might get a new one next year. If I do I'll contact you for some advice.

Jan 05, 2013 05:20 AM

Debbie Laity

Cedaredge Land Company - Cedaredge, CO

Your Real Estate Resource for Delta County, CO

LOL, Suzanne. I saw your comment in my email and I just had to come over and respond. Your feelings about ice climbing came through loud and clear. I had to smile. I don't blame you for not wanting to try it. I never have. I've rock climbed, but I took a fall many years ago, and haven't revisited the sport. I ended up landing in a soft spot on someone's deflated raft, so I only had a few, somewhat, minor injuries.

Jan 05, 2013 05:25 AM

Debbie Laity

Cedaredge Land Company - Cedaredge, CO

Your Real Estate Resource for Delta County, CO

Hi, Tanya...that feeling seems to be the popular one here. Thanks for stopping by.

Hi, Alexandra...Thanks for stopping by. I hope to get to the ice climbing festival next weekend.

Thanks to everyone that stopped over because of Don's blog. He's the best, and I'm trying my best to help him reach his goal of 500,000 points for February 2nd. That day will be here before we know it. Go over and comment on Don's blogs when you get a chance.

Jan 05, 2013 05:28 AM

Michael Jacobs

Pasadena, CA

Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hi Debbie - Don Sabinske's glowing post about you brought me here --- he's right you have great localism posts. People looking for in depth local knowledge will be wise to select you for excellent real estate representation.

Jan 05, 2013 06:29 AM

Adrian Willanger

206 909-7536 AdrianWillanger-broker.com - Seattle, WA

Profit from my two decades of experience

Hi Debbie, Don had some great things to say about you so I thought I would follow his lead and check out some of your post, again. I like this story, it's great how the whole thing started and how the community is now supporting it.

Jan 05, 2013 06:32 AM

Barbara-Jo Roberts Berberi, MA, PSA, TRC - Greater Clearwater Florida Residential Real Estate Professional

Charles Rutenberg Realty - Clearwater, FL

Palm Harbor, Dunedin, Clearwater, Safety Harbor

I see that photo and get goose bumps from head to toe! Don was indeed endorsing your great posts!

Jan 05, 2013 06:55 AM

Jennifer Fivelsdal

JFIVE Home Realty LLC | 845-758-6842|162 Deer Run Rd Red Hook NY 12571 - Rhinebeck, NY

Mid Hudson Valley real estate connection

Debbie I did not know about this, so thanks for sharing. Looking at that icy photo I am now cold :)

Jan 05, 2013 10:51 AM