SUDS Adaptive Climbing at Rocky Mountain NP: September 20–21, 2026 Event Guide
Following the success of the June 2026 Guadalupe Mountains Warriors Weekend, SUDS announces the Rocky Mountain National Park Adaptive Climbing Event — September 20–21, 2026. This is the first of two fall 2026 SUDS climbing events, the other being the Red River Gorge event in October. Rocky Mountain NP provides higher elevation, more challenging terrain, and some of the most spectacular alpine scenery in the US.
Event Details
- Dates: September 20–21, 2026
- Location: Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
- Elevation: Routes begin at 9,400 feet — altitude acclimatization guidance provided
- Route grades: 5.6–5.10 (beginner through intermediate, adaptive-modified)
- Guides: 3 AMGA-certified adaptive climbing instructors
- Max participants: 12
- Cost: $0 to participants
Altitude Guidance for Veterans
Rocky Mountain NP routes begin significantly higher than sea level. SUDS recommends participants arrive in Colorado at least 24 hours before the event start to begin acclimatization. Participants with cardiovascular conditions should consult their VA physician before registering. SUDS will provide detailed altitude preparation guidelines upon registration confirmation.
What to Expect
The two-day format allows both beginner and returning adaptive climbers to participate at their level:
- Day 1: Introductory routes on lower-angle slabs, harness fitting, technique refinement, and team building at camp
- Day 2: Multi-pitch routes for returning participants; top-rope continuation for first-timers. Summit photo and group debrief.
Live Coverage
A SUDS media volunteer will be on-site for both days. Photo updates will be posted in real time to the SUDS social channels, and a highlight video will be published to the SUDS gallery within 72 hours. Families can register for photo update access via the event WhatsApp group.
"After the Guadalupe Mountains event I didn't think anything could top it. Then they told me the next event was Rocky Mountain National Park. I've already registered." — Guadalupe Mountains 2026 Participant
Registration
Priority registration is available for participants who attended the June 2026 Guadalupe Mountains event. General registration opens July 15. Contact SUDS to secure your place.