Colorado Springs offers a plentitude of choices for rock climbing buffs

Rock climbing, along with hiking and skiing, has always been a great way to take an advantage of Colorado’s mountainous terrain. Especially here in Colorado Springs, there are plenty of opportunities for both beginning and experienced climbers to hit the rocks and have some fun.

Sam Jurekovic, a student at UCCS, is an avid climber and has been climbing for many years.

“My dad got me into it and I have been climbing for about 10 years or so,” said Jurekovic, a native of Jackson Hole, Wyo. “My friends and I did it all the time back in middle school. We would go almost every day after school and climb what we could until we had to go home.”

Back in Jackson Hole, Jurekovic said that he did a lot of alpine climbing, which is much different from the “crag” climbing here in Colorado Springs.

“A lot of the climbing I did in Wyoming was alpine, which involves a lot of rocky peaks and takes a little longer to get where you want to go,” he stated. “Here in Colorado Springs, I do a lot of ‘crag’ climbing where you just drive straight to the rock you want to climb and it also doesn’t take as long.”

Although Jurekovic stated “crag” climbing doesn’t take as long, it is still fairly dangerous, and those who plan on climbing need to remember how important safety is.

“Lots of the accidents that happened in climbing can be prevented,” stated Jurekovic. “I had to rescue a climber at Garden of the Gods who dropped his rope; that is something that can be easily prevented if the climber knows what they are doing.

“You have to be smart when you climb so you don’t leave yourself in a dangerous situation and knowing the safety side of climbing is a huge part of that.”

Aside from mentioning how important safety is, Jurekovic also said that there are plenty of spots to go climbing within the immediate Colorado Springs area.

“Garden of the Gods is a great place since it is so close to UCCS and it has a lot of different places to climb,” he said. “There are some easy climbs there but also some climbs for those who are experienced, so it’s got a good variety.”

Jurekovic also mentioned Red Rocks, Cheyenne Canyon and 11-Mile Canyon as other good locations.

“Red Rocks and Cheyenne Canyon are great too, but to climb there, as well as Garden of the Gods, you just have to remember to get a permit.”

Jurekovic also mentioned that those who are interested in climbing should contact either the climbing club on campus or go on the guided trip that S.O.L.E. hosts every year.

“Both of those are good places to get started and no experience is need for those who have never climbed.”