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climber sits in the snow with alaskan peak rising up behind them while they fiddle with ropes

Rock climb the Ruth Gorge in the Alaska Range

Rock climb the Ruth Gorge in the Alaska Range

Challenging rock climbs in an epic Alaska setting

Challenging rock climbs in an epic Alaska setting

Rock climb the Ruth Gorge in the Alaska Range

Challenging rock climbs in an epic Alaska setting

The Ruth Gorge is one of the world’s great alpine rock destinations, with enormous granite walls rising straight from the glacier. This guided Alaska expedition is for experienced climbers seeking remote, committing, and unforgettable big mountain objectives.

The Ruth Gorge is one of the world’s great alpine rock destinations, with enormous granite walls rising straight from the glacier. This guided Alaska expedition is for experienced climbers seeking remote, committing, and unforgettable big mountain objectives.

Quick Facts

Location:

Alaska

Alaska

Alaska

Prime Season:

Summer

Summer

Duration:

10-21 days

10-21 days

Itinerary Type:

Private

Private

Skill Level:

Extreme

Extreme

Price:

From $6291

From $6291

How much time should I plan for a Ruth Gorge expedition?

We recommend about 10 days. Alaska Range storms can last for days, and a longer window gives a much better chance of climbing one or two objectives instead of waiting out the weather in a tent.

What happens if weather keeps us from flying onto the glacier?

Glacier flights are at the discretion of the air taxi service. If we never make it onto the glacier, we can usually roll a portion of your payment toward a future trip.

How much experience do I need?

The Ruth Gorge is a serious expedition for strong, experienced climbers. You should be comfortable on multi pitch rock and in cold, remote conditions. If you are new to glacier travel, our Crevasse Rescue and Glacier Travel Class is a good place to prepare.

How is the Ruth Gorge different from Little Switzerland?

Little Switzerland is a more accessible introduction to Alaska Range climbing. The Ruth Gorge has bigger walls and more committing objectives with generally harder climbing, so many climbers visit Little Switzerland first.

Overview

Itinerary

Pricing

FAQ

Inclusions

The Ruth Gorge is one of the world’s great alpine rock destinations. Enormous granite walls rise straight from the glacier, creating a climbing environment with scale, remoteness, and beauty that few places on earth can match.

A Ruth Gorge trip is a serious expedition for strong and experienced climbers. Weather, glacier travel, camp logistics, objective selection, and technical climbing all shape the experience, and conditions often determine which routes make sense during the window.

Trips start in Anchorage and continue to Talkeetna, where a ski plane flies the team onto the glacier when weather allows. From glacier camp, guides choose objectives that fit the conditions and your experience, and plan around storm days so the team is ready when a climbing window opens. Plan on about 10 days to give yourself a strong chance at one or two objectives.

Colorado Climbing Company guides help manage the many moving parts of a Ruth Gorge expedition so you can focus on climbing in one of the most spectacular places in the Alaska Range. For the right climber, it is a lifetime objective.

Overview

Itinerary

Pricing

FAQ

Inclusions

The Ruth Gorge is one of the world’s great alpine rock destinations. Enormous granite walls rise straight from the glacier, creating a climbing environment with scale, remoteness, and beauty that few places on earth can match.

A Ruth Gorge trip is a serious expedition for strong and experienced climbers. Weather, glacier travel, camp logistics, objective selection, and technical climbing all shape the experience, and conditions often determine which routes make sense during the window.

Trips start in Anchorage and continue to Talkeetna, where a ski plane flies the team onto the glacier when weather allows. From glacier camp, guides choose objectives that fit the conditions and your experience, and plan around storm days so the team is ready when a climbing window opens. Plan on about 10 days to give yourself a strong chance at one or two objectives.

Colorado Climbing Company guides help manage the many moving parts of a Ruth Gorge expedition so you can focus on climbing in one of the most spectacular places in the Alaska Range. For the right climber, it is a lifetime objective.

Overview

Itinerary

Pricing

FAQ

Includes

The Ruth Gorge is one of the world’s great alpine rock destinations. Enormous granite walls rise straight from the glacier, creating a climbing environment with scale, remoteness, and beauty that few places on earth can match.

A Ruth Gorge trip is a serious expedition for strong and experienced climbers. Weather, glacier travel, camp logistics, objective selection, and technical climbing all shape the experience, and conditions often determine which routes make sense during the window.

Trips start in Anchorage and continue to Talkeetna, where a ski plane flies the team onto the glacier when weather allows. From glacier camp, guides choose objectives that fit the conditions and your experience, and plan around storm days so the team is ready when a climbing window opens. Plan on about 10 days to give yourself a strong chance at one or two objectives.

Colorado Climbing Company guides help manage the many moving parts of a Ruth Gorge expedition so you can focus on climbing in one of the most spectacular places in the Alaska Range. For the right climber, it is a lifetime objective.

Still thinking about your next great climb?

Colorado is a big state with a lot of different climbs. Feel free to use our contact form. We're happy to be your resource for deciding what might be the most convenient climb for your skills and location.

Still thinking about your next great climb?

Colorado is a big state with a lot of different climbs. Feel free to use our contact form. We're happy to be your resource for deciding what might be the most convenient climb for your skills and location.

Still thinking about your next great climb?

Colorado is a big state with a lot of different climbs. Feel free to use our contact form. We're happy to be your resource for deciding what might be the most convenient climb for your skills and location.

Nearby Climbing Locations

Below are some recommended climbing locations within the vicinity if you're interested in some alternative destinations. Colorado is home to many climbing areas and we want to help you find the one that is best for you!

Climber stands on top of ridge in Garden of the Gods with park opening up behind

Washington

From $1016

Multi-Day

Difficult-Extreme

Rock

Rock

Rock

Climber stands on top of ridge in Garden of the Gods with park opening up behind

Washington

From $1016

Multi-Day

Difficult-Extreme

Rock

Rock

Rock

Climber stands on top of ridge in Garden of the Gods with park opening up behind

Washington

From $1016

Multi-Day

Difficult-Extreme

Rock

Rock

Rock

Climbers stand near plane on a glacier in Ruth Gorge area of Denali NP

Alaska

From $6291

Multi-Day

Difficult-Extreme

Rock

Rock

Rock

Climbers stand near plane on a glacier in Ruth Gorge area of Denali NP

Alaska

From $6291

Multi-Day

Difficult-Extreme

Rock

Rock

Rock

Climbers stand near plane on a glacier in Ruth Gorge area of Denali NP

Alaska

From $6291

Multi-Day

Difficult-Extreme

Rock

Rock

Rock

Climber adjusts their tie in at a belay on Petit Grepon in Rocky Mountain National Park

Estes Park

From $279

Half, Regular, Full, Extreme, Multi-Day

Easy-Extreme

Rock

Rock

Rock

Climber adjusts their tie in at a belay on Petit Grepon in Rocky Mountain National Park

Estes Park

From $279

Half, Regular, Full, Extreme, Multi-Day

Easy-Extreme

Rock

Rock

Rock

Climber adjusts their tie in at a belay on Petit Grepon in Rocky Mountain National Park

Estes Park

From $279

Half, Regular, Full, Extreme, Multi-Day

Easy-Extreme

Rock

Rock

Rock

Common Climbing Course Options

Some climbing areas are better suited for certain types of climbing classes than others. Below are a few of the classes we commonly do here if you are interested in learning to climb. While we can always figure out ways to make something work these climbing courses work well in this area.

Guide demonstrates to students how to belay

Various

From $279

4-8 hrs

Easy

Rock

Rock

Rock

Guide demonstrates to students how to belay

Various

From $279

4-8 hrs

Easy

Rock

Rock

Rock

Guide demonstrates to students how to belay

Various

From $279

4-8 hrs

Easy

Rock

Rock

Rock

Belayer fixes the rope while a leader places a cam during learn to lead trad course

Various

From $386

8 hrs

Moderate

Rock

Rock

Rock

Belayer fixes the rope while a leader places a cam during learn to lead trad course

Various

From $386

8 hrs

Moderate

Rock

Rock

Rock

Belayer fixes the rope while a leader places a cam during learn to lead trad course

Various

From $386

8 hrs

Moderate

Rock

Rock

Rock

Climber squats awkwardly in aiders during aid climbing course

Various

From $386

8 hrs

Moderate

Rock

Rock

Rock

Climber squats awkwardly in aiders during aid climbing course

Various

From $386

8 hrs

Moderate

Rock

Rock

Rock

Climber squats awkwardly in aiders during aid climbing course

Various

From $386

8 hrs

Moderate

Rock

Rock

Rock

6435 Garlock Way

Colorado Springs, CO

80918

596 S. Carr St.

Denver, CO

80226

Let's Socialize!

National Park Concessionaire
Bureau of Land Management Authorization
National Forest Authorization
Colorado State Parks Permittee

The Colorado Climbing Company is an equal opportunity provider and employer operating under a special use permit in Pike San Isabel & Baker-Snoqualmie National Forests, Gunnison and Royal Gorge Bureau of Land Management, commercial use authorization for Rocky Mountain, North Cascades, Denali, Black Canyon National Parks and Colorado National Monument, and special use authorizations for Eldorado and Castlewood Canyon State Parks.

Copyright ©  Since 2010 The Colorado Climbing Company TM, All rights reserved. The Colorado Climbing Company offers guided rock climbing, ice climbing, mountain climbing, and climbing instruction with professional climbing guides. For climbing reservations call: 719-209-6649 or e-mail info@coclimbing.com

6435 Garlock Way

C/S, CO

80918

596 S. Carr St.

Denver, CO

80226

Let's Socialize!

Climb with us!

National Park Concessionaire
Bureau of Land Management Authorization
National Forest Authorization
Colorado State Parks Permittee

Copyright ©  Since 2010 The Colorado Climbing Company TM, All rights reserved.

Copyright © Since 2010 The Colorado Climbing Company TM, All rights reserved.