In Praise of the Obscure
At the mouth of two canyon systems, Lyons, Colorado quietly awaits those climbers willing to venture beyond the well-trodden paths of Eldorado Canyon, Boulder Canyon, and The Lumpy Ridge. As the shop owner in this overlooked climbing haven, I've come to appreciate its hidden charms and the unique appeal of its forgotten walls.
The allure of St. Vrain Canyons lies not in its popularity but in its obscurity. While neighboring areas draw climbers by the thousands, St. Vrain offers solitude and the thrill of exploration. Here, the virgin rock beckons with promises of first ascents and forgotten classics waiting to be rediscovered. For the adventurous climber seeking pristine routes and unparalleled tranquility, this is the place to be.
What sets St. Vrain apart is its untouched beauty and uncharted potential. Unlike the polished classics of Eldorado or the bustling crags of Boulder Canyon, St. Vrain's walls are a canvas waiting to be painted with chalk and the determination of climbers willing to tackle the challenges it presents. Yes, the approaches can be rugged, the fixed hardware questionable, and the lichen abundant. But therein lies the adventure.
To climbers weary of the crowds, St. Vrain offers a refreshing alternative. Picture yourself on a route where the only sounds are the wind rustling through the trees and the distant call of a red-tailed hawk. Imagine pulling a sequence on a route that hasn't seen a climber in years, reclaiming a slice of climbing history one move at a time.
In the age of Google, Mountain Project, and algorithms, climbers have lost the art of driving around and scouting for walls that look like they have to go! When we plug in the GPS coordinates to a trailhead on our phone and drive like hell to get on a 4-star climb before anyone else, we overlook the gems hidden in the shadows of more famous crags.
St. Vrain is a reminder that greatness isn't always measured by guidebook ratings or Instagram likes. It's found in the rawness of the experience, in forging new paths both on the rock and in our climbing journeys.
So, to those who crave the thrill of discovery and the satisfaction of climbing in its most authentic form, I say: venture into the St. Vrain Canyons. Embrace the challenges, savor the solitude, and uncover the treasures that await in these backwater crags. The future classics are here, waiting to be climbed by those bold enough to seek them out.
In St. Vrain, the true spirit of climbing lives on—a testament to adventure, exploration, and the timeless allure of the unknown.
