Colorado is often billed as the highest state in the country with 54 peaks over 14,000ft the scenery and grandeur is not one to be missed. Colorado has been OWA home base since David Appleton moved the operation here in 1984, we are based near the center of the state but travel to several world class climbing, hiking and biking destinations across the state. What a better way to maximize your vacation time than allowing our guides to handle everything! And we mean everything from the minute you step off the plane in Denver our trips are all inclusive, which means you can leave the worry and headache behind. As diverse as the opportunities for outdoor adventure are in Colorado so are the trips we offering, specializing in hiking, climbing and biking we would love to plan a custom trip for you or your group. Additionally every year we offer several set itineraries where you can join like minded folks on the adventure of a lifetime. OWA is permitted by the Pike National Forest, Colorado BLM and Colorado State parks, always be sure your adventure provided is operating within the regulations of the state or federal area that they operate in.

During the Winter Colorado is an ice climbers and backcountry skiing paradise, be sure to check the avalanche report before travelling into the backcountry! See here

Introduction to Mountaineeering, Central Colorado

• Dates:June 3-5, 2022
• Gender: Coed
• Age Group: 18+
• Availability: 6 Spots
• Cost: $395.00 (airfare not included)

The central Colorado introduction to mountaineering course is the perfect introduction for aspiring mountaineers. This course will teach you the skills for basic technical snow climb often found in the rockies, learn under the guidance of an experienced OWA mountaineer. Get started in climbing peaks and learning ice axe, crampon techniques as well as rope travel. This course travels into the French gulch area of central Colorado, a beautiful alpine cirque surrounded by 13,000ft peaks. It is an excellent early season training ground to get acclimatized and begin to prepare for larger peaks further in your climbing career. We teach and practice ice axe technique, rope travel, crevasse rescue (although the terrain is not crevassed) and crampon technique. We summit 2 peaks on this 3 day course, Boreas Peak 13,082ft via the NW ridge and Mt. Baldy via Black Powder pass and the East ridge.
Our guides will give hands-on, personal instruction to get you the experience you want. This trip is great for anyone who is interested in breaking into that magical world of snow capped summits. Equipment and food will be provided by OWA. For an extra day, add our Glacier Travel Course to the same trip!
Successful completion of this course and displayed mastery of the skills involved automatically qualifies you to take Wind Rivers Mountaineering
Some backcountry experience is recommended before booking this trip (contact us if you have questions).
Contact us at info@owa.com or call 512-731-7596 to register!

Glacier Travel Course

• Dates: Custom Dates
• Gender: Coed
• Age Group: 18+
• Availability: 6 Spots
• Cost: $135.00 (airfare not included)

A one-day clinic on the technical aspects of glacier travel. Clients will learn from our experienced guides and get a chance to practice the techniques live. We cover rope systems, group managment, risk management and introduce the basic crevasse rescue concepts. Combine this with our Introduction to Mountaineering Course for a well-rounded three-day trip of skills.
Contact us at info@owa.com or call 512-731-7596 to register!

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  Lost Creek Wilderness Backpacking

  Colorado is known for having more 14ers than any other state in the U.S. But locals who frequent the Lost Creek Wilderness area are happy that the peaks don’t reach that high. While hordes of tourists and “locals” alike trudge up 14000 ft peaks like Mt Evans and Pikes Peak (which has a donut shop on the summit), those in the

• Dates:Custom Dates Throughout Summer
• Gender: Coed
• Age Group:All ages, including families
• Availability: 1-12 Spots
• Cost: $145.00 pp/per day (airfare not included)
• know enjoy the pristine wilderness landscape, wild views, and solitude of the Lost Creek Wilderness.Right in the back yard of OWA basecamp, our guides know the area better than anyone and have developed it as a cornerstone trip. With much of the hiking above tree line you’ll still get that high altitude backpacking experience, but without the crowds. So if you are a peak bagger who can’t wait to post summit photos with altitude labels and personal time… maybe another trip is for you. But if the thought of the untouched, vast and wild is what drives you to the mountains, you will find an experience of a lifetime in Lost Creek.___________________________________________________________________________________________________
  
  

  Colorado Multi-pitch Climbing

  For the climber that wants to take their skills to long multi-pitch climbs.

  Colorado is a fantastic state to cut your teeth on long routes. With multi-pitch routes varying in commitment from 15 minute to full day approaches, our guides will be able to give you hands on and personalized instruction that suits your level of climbing experience. Learn techniques and tips for moving quickly and safely on long routes.

• Dates:June-Sept
• Gender: Coed
• Age Group: 15+
• Availability: 4 Spots
• Cost: $165 per person/day (airfare not included)
• Successful completion of this course and displayed mastery of the skills involved automatically qualifies you to take Wind Rivers Alpine RockOur Lead Climbing Clinic, Anchor Building Clinic, or equivalent experience is recommended before booking this trip (contact us if you have questions)__________________________________________________________________