Mountain Biking

Duration: Minimum 2-day approach/climb

Location: The guide will be in touch with you the day before to determine your meeting place and any miscellaneous details. Please call 970-925-7625 for any questions.

Maximum Guide Ratio: 2:1

Fitness Level: You should maintain an overall general level of fitness as this climb is challenging.

Includes: AMGA trained/certified mountain guide, use of all technical equipment (helmet, harness, climbing equipment, ropes, packs, etc.), use of all necessary camping gear, and a 3% USFS land use surcharge.

Not included: water, lunch/snack food

Prep- Your guide will contact you the day before at the voice number you give us to discuss an appropriate plan for you and to confirm a meeting place and start time. You will go over necessary gear to pack and meal planning. Think about what type of foods you want to eat while climbing in the backcountry and coordinate with your guide.

You will be provided with a helmet, harness, climbing equipment, ropes, a pack, and all necessary camping gear.

The Day - Meet your guide at your pre-determined location and head to the Capitol Lake trailhead parking lot. Begin the hike in to Capitol Lake with heavy packs, approximately 6.5 miles. There are great campsites and the lake is very scenic. The next day is your summit day. You will begin the approach well before dawn. You will begin up a well-beaten, steep trail for 0.5 miles up to the 12,500-foot saddle between Capitol and 13,300-foot Mount Daly. From the saddle, you will make a descending traverse south into the basin. You will then make your way west through the boulder field to the notorious K2 - the view from Capitol here is breathtaking. You will then continue climbing to the unmistakable "knife-edge." The knife-edge is a 100-foot-long, horizontal stretch of ridge. The best technique to cross this section is to grab the edge with your hands and walk your feet along underneath you - the rock is surprisingly solid, compared to the rest of the climb. You will continue the ascend towards the summit. (Water, lunch/snacks are not included).

CLIMBING EQUIPMENT LIST

The following items are provided for your climbing day:

• Harness
• Helmet
• Climbing Equipment
• Ropes
• Backpack
• Camping Gear

CLOTHING

• Socks: thin hiking socks, wool or synthetic
• Bottoms: pants or shorts should be comfortable & allow the freedom of movement
• Top: synthetic or wool t-shirts, tank-tops or long sleeves - no cotton!
• Warm layer: nice to have along as the temperatures can vary with altitude and shade
• Warm Jacket: a down or synthetic - perfect for night time and early am start
• Rain Jacket: a waterproof jacket, in case of occasional afternoon rain showers
• Hats: one with brim to keep sun off your face and one for warmth
• Helmet (provided for you by AE)

OTHER ITEMS

• Water bottle
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen and lip balm: water/sweat-proof
• Toiletries, Personal first-aid kit: for your personal meds/needs
• Camera or Smartphone
• Water, Lunch/Snack food

Summers in Aspen tend to be warm and mild, but temperatures can easily drop as you head up in elevation, for example on Independence Pass. Rain/thunderstorms occasionally occur, more often than not in the afternoon rather than mornings. Rain gear will be essential if necessary. Participants will travel in the backcountry and should be prepared for any or all weather conditions.

THE FIRST STEP

It is suggested that you maintain a good level of physical fitness, as these climbs are challenging. Exercise uphill with a moderate-sized pack. Go for long runs or bike rides - try to increase your cardiovascular health.

THE NEXT STEP

Colorado has 54 14,000-foot peaks! Let us help you summit the ones here in the Elk range, including North Maroon Peak, Pyramid Peak, Snowmass Peak and Castle Peak. We also guide Mount Elbert (the highest of the 54-14ers), and La Plata (the fifth highest).

POLICIES

Booking/Cancellation policy:

AE requires a full credit card or cash/check payment to hold your reservation. If you choose to cancel within 7 days of a scheduled trip, you will be charged full price. Within 7-14 days of your trip, we would be happy to work out a date to reschedule. If you choose to cancel 2 weeks or more (3 weeks or more for multi-day trips of 5+ people) prior to your scheduled trip, you will receive a full refund. If your guide decides that weather makes your scheduled trip a no-go, we will work with you to reschedule, give you a credit, or refund your trip. Travel Guard insurance is available via our website homepage.

For weather and extenuating circumstances: if when you reach the trailhead and the guide calls the day off, you will be entitled to a full reschedule. If the trip begins (0-2 hours in), you will be charged for a full day hike, with a credit in the difference of price, which can go towards a rescheduled trip with us. After 2 hours into the day, full payment for the scheduled trip is due.

Risk Management

Please note: AEW's number one priority is your safety. Many conditions affect our guides' decisions in the mountains, including client fitness and comfort, weather conditions and route conditions. There are inherent hazards in mountain travel such as inclement weather, avalanches, rock fall, ice fall that our guides manage yet cannot eliminate. The combination of our guides' formal training and wealth of experience assures that their sound decision create an enjoyable and safe mountain experience. Aspen Expeditions reserves the right to turn around or change routes without refunds or credits under any conditions.

Duration: 1-day approach/climb

Location: The guide will be in touch with you the day before to determine your meeting place and any miscellaneous details. Please call 970-925-7625 for any questions.

Maximum Guide Ratio: 2:1

Fitness Level: You should maintain an overall general level of fitness as this climb is challenging. Rock Climbing experience is suggested for this technical, exposed traverse.

Includes: AMGA trained/certified mountain guide, use of all technical equipment (helmet, harness, climbing equipment, ropes, packs, etc.), use of all necessary camping gear, and a 3% USFS land use surcharge.

Not included: water, lunch/snack food

Prep- Your guide will contact you the day before at the voice number you give us to discuss an appropriate plan for you and to confirm a meeting place and start time. The weather forecast will dictate start times.  You will go over necessary gear to pack and meal planning. Think about what type of foods you want to eat while climbing in the backcountry and coordinate with your guide.

You will be provided with a helmet, harness, climbing equipment, ropes, a pack, and all necessary camping gear.

The Day - (Water, lunch/snacks are not included).

CLIMBING EQUIPMENT LIST

The following items are provided for your climbing day:

• Harness
• Helmet
• Climbing Equipment
• Ropes

CLOTHING

• Socks: thin hiking socks, wool or synthetic
• Bottoms: pants or shorts should be comfortable & allow the freedom of movement
• Top: synthetic or wool t-shirts, tank-tops or long sleeves - no cotton!
• Warm layer: nice to have along as the temperatures can vary with altitude and shade
• Warm Jacket: a down or synthetic - perfect for night time and early am start
• Rain Jacket: a waterproof jacket, in case of occasional afternoon rain showers
• Hats: one with brim to keep sun off your face and one for warmth
• Helmet (provided for you by AE)

OTHER ITEMS

• Water bottle
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen and lip balm: water/sweat-proof
• Toiletries, Personal first-aid kit: for your personal meds/needs
• Camera or Smartphone
• Water, Lunch/Snack food

If you are missing a piece of gear, we have a selection of outdoor technical gear / backcountry supplies - at our retail shop at the base of Aspen Highlands - including the Summit Series from The North Face.

Summers in Aspen tend to be warm and mild, but temperatures can easily drop as you head up in elevation, for example on Independence Pass. Rain/thunderstorms occasionally occur, more often than not in the afternoon rather than mornings. Rain gear will be essential if necessary. Participants will travel in the backcountry and should be prepared for any or all weather conditions.

THE FIRST STEP

It is suggested that you maintain a good level of physical fitness, as these climbs are challenging. Exercise uphill with a moderate-sized pack. Go for long runs or bike rides - try to increase your cardiovascular health.

THE NEXT STEP

Colorado has 58, 14,000-foot peaks! Let us help you summit the ones here in the Elk range, including South/North Maroon Peak, Pyramid Peak, Capitol Peak, Snowmass Peak, Castle Peak and Mount Elbert (the highest and one of the easier 14’ers).

POLICIES

Booking/Cancellation policy:

AE requires a full credit card or cash/check payment to hold your reservation. If you choose to cancel within 7 days of a scheduled trip, you will be charged full price. Within 7-14 days of your trip, we would be happy to work out a date to reschedule. If you choose to cancel 2 weeks or more (3 weeks or more for multi-day trips of 5+ people) prior to your scheduled trip, you will receive a full refund. If your guide decides that weather makes your scheduled trip a no-go, we will work with you to reschedule, give you a credit, or refund your trip. Travel Guard insurance is available via our website homepage.

For weather and extenuating circumstances: if when you reach the trailhead and the guide calls the day off, you will be entitled to a full reschedule. If the trip begins (0-2 hours in), you will be charged for a full day hike, with a credit in the difference of price, which can go towards a rescheduled trip with us. After 2 hours into the day, full payment for the scheduled trip is due.

Risk Management

Please note: AEW's number one priority is your safety. Many conditions affect our guides' decisions in the mountains, including client fitness and comfort, weather conditions and route conditions. There are inherent hazards in mountain travel such as inclement weather, avalanches, rock fall, ice fall that our guides manage yet cannot eliminate. The combination of our guides' formal training and wealth of experience assures that their sound decision create an enjoyable and safe mountain experience. Aspen Expeditions reserves the right to turn around or change routes without refunds or credits under any conditions.