If you have recently gotten on any climbs in the Telluride area, it would be a huge help if you could submit info about the routes. Click here to submit info (such as # of bolts, difficulty, safety) about a climb. Thanks!
The new Rock Guide of Telluride is set to release in May of 2026. This is our first guidebook in over twenty years! Since 2018 I have been personally documenting crags in the area, compiling data from Telluride’s most active climbers, and gathering history and stories from local climbing legends. In this guidebook I will share some of these stories along with up-to-date approach and route information, full color topo images, drone images, and professional climbing photography.
2When I decided I may want to write an updated rock climbing guidebook for Telluride, it was important to me that it included an in depth history of the area. I went to Clay Wadman’s house for dinner to discuss this potential project. I laughed at stories of the Ophir Bums, was in awe of names like Royal Robbins, John Long, and Lynn Hill, and inspired by the adventurous style of climbing that defined our crags and culture.
I knew that I couldn’t let these incredible stories be lost with the souls who carried them. Clay had told me the one person I really needed to talk to was Bill Kees, The Father of the Ophir Wall and the heart of our community.
Shortly after, I was sitting across from Bill in his home near the base of Tomboy Road. His eyes lit up telling stories of climbing in Ophir in the 1970s. As he spoke, I saw how his story was entwined with the stories of many others and with the rock itself. The Ophir Wall was speaking to me through the voice of a man who loved it dearly. I am excited to share his story and those of other climbers that I had the chance to interview during this process.
3I am grateful to be doing this project in such a small, supportive community. Thank you to all who have provided photos, sat down with me to go over topos, provided information, or gone out on exploratory missions with me. I know y’all are stoked that the book is finally coming out! In the coming months as I finish up the project, I could use your help to compile the remaining information. Specifically, I am looking to get more gear beta for routes at the Ophir Wall and Cracked Canyon. I could also use help to locate and create topo lines for some of the old school routes at the Ophir Wall. Click here to submit information. If you are wanting to support the book in another way, please take a look at the “How to Support” tab for information about advertisements and donations.
Sincerely,
Lindsey Greer (author)
