Gettin’ Out of Front Range Town
Posted on Wednesday, March 28th, 2007
28 March 2007
This winter was a banner year for snow on the Front Range of Colorado.
Needless to say, if there are fresh tracks being placed on the Third Flatiron, the climbing conditions are a little sketchy. Charles and I started to think of warmer climes, and decided to schlep crash pad and gear to Muscat Oman, a small Sultanate in the Middle East.
Fast-forward a week, and I’m standing on top of a boulder we had found a long way from home, and I was elated. There’s something great about doing first ascents, and much as I’d like to deny I feel this way, or cast it as a boy thing, it’s awesome. As good as climbing normally is, finding your own line, cleaning it, and working the sequence is truly special. Lucky for us, we found lots of possibilities.
Traveling throughout the rocky interior, we spent most of our climbing days in isolation, with only the camels, dunes, and rocks to keep us company.
In so many ways we felt not like strangers, but welcomed guests. In Oman we found most people wanting to overcome stereotypes that they knew that we had of Muslim culture, and Charles and I found ourselves doing the same, trying to convince the people we met that we were grateful to experience their customs and hospitality.
We look forward to future adventures and climbs in this mysterious place, there’s plenty still to be had.
Getting there: Oman is a relatively safe destination for travelers. The country is looking to reduce its dependence on oil revenue and is embracing eco-tourism. Anyone interested in pristine hiking, climbing and snorkeling should put this place on the short list. Flights are available daily into the capital Muscat from Europe.
You should go.
