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Guide Service in Ouray, CO
— Rock. Ice. Via Ferrata —
Home of the @goldmtnviaferrata
⭐️ Voted Ouray’s Best Guide Service 2022–2026! ⭐️

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I’ve kinda lost the plot tbh ngl…let me explain ⬇️

One of my original intentions for starting this page was to simply…have a safe space to share my life. To be ALL of me.

To express the parts of myself that I didn’t always feel like I could.

To create some small ripple in this narrative that social media HAS to be a highlight reel.

To remind women that it’s okay to be messy. In fact, we all are.

To be raw and vulnerable and REAL and…to hopefully inspire somebody somewhere along the way.

But, I admit…I got caught in my own trap.

I let what I thought this page “should” be keep me from just…letting it be. Just as so many of us do with ourselves.

Two truths can exist at once.

We can love the life we’re living AND still long for something more. Be grateful for where we are and recognize the ways we’ve outgrown it. Hold joy and grief, certainty and confusion, acceptance and desire, all within the same breath.

That’s part of the beauty that is being human.

Learning to hold all of it without making any part of ourselves wrong. To meet ourselves where we are with compassion, without mistaking acceptance for permanence.

To honor who we’ve been, embrace who we are, and still make room for who we’re becoming.

So…here’s another little glimpse of my life lately.

Through the inevitable ebbs and flows…I’m a big fan. Just riding the wave and all that. 😉

ANYWAY.

I’ve been wildly inconsistent with socials for almost 2 years (LOL), and I’ve been thinking about challenging myself to share SOMETHING.

Every day for 30 days.

A little glimpse of life. A lesson learned. A thought I can’t get out of my head. Something that made me feel alive. Whatever feels worth sharing.

No perfect plan. Just showing up as I am.

Because…with all disrespect…fuck this algorithm.

I want more vulnerability. More connection.
Less performing. More living.
More wonder. Less gravity.

What do you think? 👀

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#lifelately #authenticliving #mindsetiseverything #traveling #livingfully

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Level up your winter at the Ouray Ice Park by becoming a member🥶 Membership isn’t just a pass; it’s a commitment to the sport and the community. By joining, you gain early access to register to join popular clinics and events, ensuring you don’t miss out when spots fill up. You’ll also enjoy the convenience of early entry to the park, allowing you to maximize your time on the ice before the crowds arrive⛏️🌄

🔔Beyond the personal perks, your membership serves as a vital part in the park’s future! Your membership directly support the operations required to maintain the ice throughout the season, and keep the Ouray Ice Park safe for everyone🤝 Whether you are a casual climber or a seasoned pro, there is a membership tier tailored to your specific goals and frequency of visits🧊🏔️

Registration will be opening soon, so keep a close eye on our announcements😉 Once live, simply visit ourayicepark.com/membership to explore the tiers and select the one that aligns with your climbing ambitions. Your support is what keeps the park thriving, and we can’t wait to see you back on the walls this season!🧊🧗‍♂️🤩

#winter #membership #iceclimbing #ouray #ourayicepark
🎥 @visuals.bynicoleveronica

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Colorado has a FREE cliffside adventure… would you cross that bridge? 😳🏔️

📍 Ouray Via Ferrata | Ouray, Colorado
Steel rungs, exposed canyon walls, suspended bridges, and the Uncompahgre River rushing below—this is a Colorado bucket-list experience. 🧗‍♂️🔥

SAVE THIS FOR YOUR TRIP 👇

💰 Access: FREE! Gear rentals and guided trips cost extra.
🎒 Rentals: Packages start around $45/day at local shops, including Basecamp Ouray and Ouray Mountain Sports.
🪖 Required: Certified climbing helmet, harness, and a via ferrata energy-absorbing lanyard.
🧗 First time? Hire a professional guide to learn the equipment and navigate the route.

🌉 DOWNSTREAM: The classic route features a 35-foot cable bridge and a roughly 75-foot ascending Sky Ladder.
🔥 UPSTREAM: More demanding climbing, fewer rungs, and a roughly 60-foot vertical Helix Ladder. Previous climbing or via ferrata experience strongly recommended.

📅 Typical season: Early May–late October, weather permitting.
⏰ Posted hours: 8 AM–4 PM. Check current closures before heading out.
👟 Wear grippy shoes, bring water, and start early!

Would you do this—or would your legs stop working at the first bridge? 😂👇

💬 Comment “SEND IT” or “NOPE.”
👯 Tag the friend you’d trust beside you.
📌 Save the details and share this with your adventure crew!

Follow Demario Orozco for more places worth leaving your comfort zone for. 🌎✈️
📸 Instagram: @somewhere_spontaneous
📲 Facebook: @DemarioOrozco

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Some people go to Ouray for the hot springs. I came to hang off the cliffs. 😏🧗‍♀️

📍 Ouray Via Ferrata • Upstream Route

Canyon walls, rushing water, and the kind of views you earn one rung at a time. The best part? The route is FREE to access—you just need the proper via ferrata gear. 🙌

Would you clip in?

Photo cred: @milocorbus
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@ourayviaferrata @visitourayco @basecamp_ouray

#OurayViaFerrata #OurayColorado #ViaFerrata #ColoradoAdventures #WomenWhoAdventure

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You don’t want to miss this feeling✨ The seasons are changing and winter will be here before you know it ❄️🏔️

#winter #climbing #iceclimbing #ouray #ourayicepark
🎥 @visuals.bynicoleveronica

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🚨 Novel ahead!
Six years ago, becoming a Certified Alpine Guide seemed like a pipe dream. When I started the process, I wasn’t sure I’d stick with it. I was green in every sense of the word. And yet… here we are!

I’ve struggled to find the words to reflect on this milestone. Maybe because my takeaway isn’t earth shattering: it’s that certification isn’t a finish-line banner — it represents meeting a minimum standard, and continuing to grow from there. I believe it’s important to seek the highest level of training in any discipline. I also recognize that once you do, a new chapter begins. I’m excited to turn that page & continue the learning process for what I hope will be a long career.

Meeting the standard is a nice confidence boost — it’s rewarding to feel energy, time & money paying off. But, when I really think about the whole thing, there’s more to it than checking boxes.

I swung my first tool in 2019 as the office girl at SJMG. I’m so goddamn fortunate I weaseled my way into the community & under the wings of so many mentors. I couldn’t have gotten here without being surrounded by such an insane concentration of skilled professionals. I glommed onto so many of them, shadowing trips, picking their brains incessantly about systems & the latest gear.

More than any patch, the thing I’m most appreciative of is feeling supported by my community. I’m lucky enough to work for every(?) guide service in town, and I like to think that’s because people see who I’ve grown into, not just the person I was when I moved here.

Posting this feels vulnerable. Necessary though, because I don’t think I could ever effectively thank everyone in person. I can only hope I get to play a similar role for a new climber one day.

In sum, thanks to everyone that ever said “yes” to getting out, let me tag along, or ran through skills. Thanks to friends who helped me prep & my clients for teaching me more than you know. Finally, huge thanks to @basecamp_ouray & the Stansfields @mountaintrip & @arcteryx for making this exam possible! 🩵

didn’t take 📸 on the exam, so here’s a smattering of bad selfies, special people/moments & pretty places - sry I don’t have pics of all you!

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Girl math says if you book your 2027 adventures now, by the time they actually happen, you’ve already forgotten how much you paid… so basically, they’re free. 😂💸

And speaking of 2027 adventures…

❄️ The 4th annual Women’s Intro to Ice Climbing Trip in Ouray, CO is officially OPEN for registration!
📅 January 15–18, 2027

I started organizing these group trips because I wanted more women to experience what it feels like to do something that both scares you AND excites you. To step outside your comfort zone, get a little uncomfortable, learn something new, and walk away feeling a little more capable and empowered than when you showed up. There’s something pretty damn cool about proving to yourself that you can do hard things🧊✨

No experience necessary. No ego. No need to already consider yourself an “outdoorsy” person. Just come ready to try something new and spend a winter weekend surrounded by women who are doing the same.

Two full days of ice climbing, hot springs, good food, and a whole lot of fun in one of the cutest mountain towns, Ouray Colorado.

If this has been sitting on your “maybe someday” list… consider this your sign to make it a 2027 thing😉

DM me for the details or head to my site to grab your spot!

📍 Ouray, Colorado
🗓️ Jan 15–18, 2027

Send this to a friend who would love to try ice climbing with other like-minded women👩🏼‍🤝‍👩🏻

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Well, it’s officially fall… time to start hanging on tools and scheduling for 2026–2027!

Reach out to schedule your dates for the coming ice climbing season. January and February will fill up fast! Booking late November through March. Let’s climb 👊🏼
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#iceclimbing #alpineclimbing #girlswhoclimb #alpinism #womenwhoclimb

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It started in 1995 with a handful of dreamers, a case of beer, and a radical idea. Bill Whitt, Eric Jacobsen, Dick Fowler, and Gary Wild looked into the depths of the Uncompahgre Gorge and saw more than just frozen water—they saw a future. With nothing but garden hoses, PVC pipes, and a stubborn refusal to accept that winter had to be a quiet season, they laid the foundation for what would become the world’s premier ice climbing destination📍🏔️⛏️

Those early, makeshift pipes eventually evolved creating the iconic system that the ice farmers use to grow the world-class routes that climbers travel across to send today. What began as a grassroots effort by “dirtbags” determined to build a home for their community quickly caught attention. The Ice Park grew from a handful of volunteers to a full range of staff that brings the park to life year after year🥶👊

The Ouray Ice Park is more than just a venue; it is a living history of sweat equity, friendship, and the relentless pursuit of a common goal. Every time you lace up your boots and head into the Gorge, you’re stepping into a legacy built on love for the sport and the town that nurtured it. We aren’t just climbing ice—we’re honoring the spirit of the people who made this sanctuary possible🧊🧗

#winter #history #ourayicepark #iceclimbing #grassroothistory
📸 OIPI ARCHIVE

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Ouray is in the heart of the San Juan Mountains in Colorado and is referred to as the “Switzerland of America”.

From epic hiking, to relaxing in their hot springs, climbing via ferrata and ice climbing; this beautiful and historic mining town is amazing for year round adventure enthusiasts.
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For those visiting Ouray, please commit to “Do Ouray Right” principles:

1) Be Patient and Kind- Always treat others with respect and understand life may move at a different pace here.

2) Respect the Trail- Always stay on marked trails, follow signage as well as make sure to keep all wheels on marked roads/paths

3) Pack it in, Pack it out- Leave it better than you found it, always pack out what you packed in

4) Slow Down and Enjoy- Drive slow, follow all speed limits and be aware of your surroundings. There is a lot of wildlife and this is there home.

5) Camp Responsibly - Camp on durable, previous marked and used sites and always put out your campfire

6) Be Prepared for Winter- weather can change very frequently and fast here; make sure both you and your vehicle are prepared.

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Have fun. Be safe. Leave No Trace 🥾

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#hosted #ouray #doourayright #ouraycolorado sanjuanmountains

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⛏️As we gear up for the season, now is the time to meticulously inspect your ropes, ice picks, screws, harness, and helmet to ensure everything is in top condition🪢👊 If you find your kit is lacking, head over to @basecamp_ouray for reliable gear rentals or visit @ouraymountainsports to snag the best deals on winter layers, boots, and gloves 🧤🥶

If you are looking to refine your technique or gain more confidence on the vertical, consider booking a day trip through one of our local guiding companies📍💪(@mountaintrip @sanjuanmtnguides @moxiemountainguides @cirqueguides @basecamp_ouray @skywardmountaineering @smilemountainguides ) Before you head out, be sure to visit our official website to check the current conditions page, which details which routes and areas of the park are open and ready for ice climbing🧊🧗

Once you arrive, stop by Dick’s Chalet to pick up a park guide! 📒 🏔️ Our staff is always there and happy to help, so don’t be afraid to reach out if you have any questions about safety, route selection, or park etiquette. Let’s make this season our best one yet!🤩

#iceclimbing #ouray #guidetowinter #ourayicepark #icepark
🎥 @visuals.bynicoleveronica

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BRB, kinda busy hanging off a mountain 🧗‍♀️⛰️

📍Gold Mountain Via Ferrata | Ouray, Colorado

Our first via ferrata didn’t disappoint! If you’re looking for a unique adventure in Colorado, add this one to your list! We started at Base Camp at 8 AM and spent about 4 hours making our way up Gold Mountain climbing rock faces, crossing suspended bridges, and taking in some of the most incredible views of Ouray and the surrounding San Juan Mountains.

📍 Ouray elevation: 7,792 ft
⛰️ Climbed up to ~9,500 ft
⏰ Start time: 8 AM
🌲 Duration: about 3-4 hours
🪢 Rock climbing + suspended bridges
🧗‍♀️ Guided throughout the entire route
🏔️ Incredible San Juan Mountain views

Our guide was amazing and made the entire experience even better. You’re clipped into the safety system as you make your way through the course, so you can focus on the climbing and those views🙌🏽

Definitely one of the coolest ways to experience Ouray, the “Switzerland of America”🇨🇭⛰️

Save this for your next Colorado road trip!📌

#GoldMountainViaFerrata #OurayColorado #ViaFerrata #ColoradoAdventures #ColoradoTravel

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