Stop 1: Vedauwoo and New Belgium Brewing
Okay, so
maybe it’s a stretch calling New Belgium Vedauwoo’s local brewery as it is over
an hour’s drive to the south and in another state. But, we did go there after
cragging up in the ‘Voo so we will count it as the inaugural stop on the 2014
Rock and Brews Tour.
First up,
the Rock: Vedauwoo, WY. In one word, climbing at Vedauwoo is hard! I feel that every time I visit I
need to dial back my expectations on what I can climb by at least two grades
(eg 5.10 down to 5.8) and I still get
thrashed!! The cracks here are wide, the rock is extremely crystalline and the
landscape is borderline Seussian with irregular blobs of Precambrian granite
laying about all over. It is a beautiful spot to ramble around and if you enjoy
scrambling (really, who doesn’t?) you can noodle your way to the top of most of
the formations here without a rope.
Vedauwoo is awesome for kids. With a short rope you can have an awesome adventure with your child by following the slabs and ledges that adorn almost all of the features here. When you step up for your climb tape up,
consider wearing Carharrts, pre-load the pain medication and get your spork ready
to eat your humble pie. With all that said, Vedauwoo is a place to keep coming
back to in order to work on your off width skills, enjoy beautiful camping and,
if nothing else, to enjoy a romp up Edward’s Crack, a beautiful two pitch hand
crack on Walt’s Wall. Superb!
Now the Brews: I imagine New Belgium Brewing does not need much of an introduction. Following the success of it’s Fat Tire Ale in the 90s, New Belgium has grown to be a massive craft brewery distributing all over the US. The brewery in Fort Collins, CO is a massive plant now with immense stainless steel vessels towering over you while you sip a beer and maybe play roule boule out in their beer garden. Personal favorites of mine from the New Belgium portfolio are their Ranger IPA and the La Folie, a Flanders Brown that is just superb.
Vedauwoo is awesome for kids. With a short rope you can have an awesome adventure with your child by following the slabs and ledges that adorn almost all of the features here. When you step up for your climb tape up,
consider wearing Carharrts, pre-load the pain medication and get your spork ready
to eat your humble pie. With all that said, Vedauwoo is a place to keep coming
back to in order to work on your off width skills, enjoy beautiful camping and,
if nothing else, to enjoy a romp up Edward’s Crack, a beautiful two pitch hand
crack on Walt’s Wall. Superb!Now the Brews: I imagine New Belgium Brewing does not need much of an introduction. Following the success of it’s Fat Tire Ale in the 90s, New Belgium has grown to be a massive craft brewery distributing all over the US. The brewery in Fort Collins, CO is a massive plant now with immense stainless steel vessels towering over you while you sip a beer and maybe play roule boule out in their beer garden. Personal favorites of mine from the New Belgium portfolio are their Ranger IPA and the La Folie, a Flanders Brown that is just superb.
Till next time... See you out there!
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