Fifth Edition: Building Skill, Community, and National Impact
For the fifth consecutive year, Loco por la Aventura returned to Colorado to lead one of the most transformative experiences we offer: our annual ice climbing expedition.
Five years building this tradition.
Five years expanding access.
Five years creating representation in a sport where our community has historically been absent.
This program is intentionally designed for beginners — for those who have never worn crampons, never held an ice tool, and never imagined themselves standing beneath a frozen waterfall.
And this year, we expanded further than ever before.
A MISSION THAT CROSSES STATE LINES
This fifth edition brought together participants from multiple states:
- 9 from Portland, Oregon
- 4 from Arizona
- 2 from Salt Lake City
What began years ago as a small trip has grown into a multi-state gathering. Over the past two to three years, Loco por la Aventura has established itself as a nonprofit organization with growing national relevance — creating real access to high-level mountain experiences for the Latino community and beyond.
Every participant arrived with courage. And that courage set the tone.
THE JOURNEY: FROM PORTLAND TO OUR BASE
The Portland group flew into Salt Lake City, where we picked up our transportation and began the drive toward Colorado.
On the way, we made a meaningful stop. Participants had the opportunity to observe artisanal cheese production and enjoy traditional Venezuelan snacks. It was simple — but powerful.
We shared food.
We shared stories.
We began building trust.
Before stepping onto the ice, we strengthened the community.
That evening, we arrived at our Airbnb, our base of operations for the next three days. Gear was organized. Crampons and ice tools were checked. Safety protocols were reviewed.
The anticipation was real.
DAY 1: FIRST CONTACT WITH VERTICAL ICE
The first day always carries tension — the moment when preparation meets exposure.
For many, it was their first time walking in crampons. That awkward metallic crunch against the ground. That unfamiliar balance shift. That awareness that every step matters.
We started with the fundamentals:
- Body positioning
- Efficient foot placement
- Proper ice tool swing mechanics
- Climbing commands
- Belay systems
The first routes were about adaptation. Slower movement. Focused breathing. Repetition.
Then something changed.
Hesitation turned into rhythm.
Fear turned into concentration.
Uncertainty turned into progress.
By the end of Day 1, the group had already transformed. Tired — yes. But empowered.
DAY 2: DESCENDING INTO NEW FUNTIER
Day 2 began with momentum. The nervousness of the first day had been replaced by intention.
But before the climbing even began, we had to descend into the canyon — into an area known as New Funtier.
And that descent is no small detail.
To access New Funtier, we had to move carefully down the canyon using fixed chains bolted into the rock. All of this while wearing crampons.
Every step required precision.
Crampons on rock can feel unstable. The chains provide security — but they demand focus. The descent adds an element of exposure and calculated risk. It is not extreme, but it is serious enough to command respect.
We moved deliberately. One at a time. Controlled. Focused.
And in that descent, something important happened: the team elevated its awareness.
Because climbing is not just about going up.
It’s about managing terrain in all directions.
The approach itself became part of the training.
TECHNICAL DEVELOPMENT: ANCHORS AND DESCENT SYSTEMS
Once in New Funtier, the real work began.
Day 2 focused heavily on anchor systems and self-sufficiency.
We practiced:
- Building natural anchors
- Proper bolt anchor configuration
- Constructing anchors in solid ice
- Setting up and understanding the Abalakov (V-Thread) system for rappelling
This is where climbers begin transitioning from participants to practitioners.
Ascending ice is exciting.
Building safe systems is responsibility.
We repeated procedures. Reviewed redundancy principles. Evaluated risk management decisions.
This was no longer just about experience. It was about education.
CLIMBING IN NEW FUNTIER: FLOW AND PROGRESSION
New Funtier provided the perfect training ground.
The routes offered challenge without overwhelming the group. Steep enough to demand commitment. Varied enough to build skill.
We climbed multiple lines throughout the afternoon.
Swing placement improved.
Footwork became quieter and more precise.
Body positioning became more efficient.
There were moments when someone paused halfway up a route — questioning whether they had enough left.
And then they kept going.
The cheers from below echoed through the canyon walls.
By the time we climbed back out — carefully ascending the same chained descent in reverse — the group had leveled up. Physically and mentally.
That canyon exit, climbing upward with crampons and chains, added one final layer of intensity to the day.
It wasn’t just a climb. It was a full mountain systems experience.
RECOVERY, HOT SPRINGS, AND CULTURAL CONNECTION
After two demanding days, we returned to town with good news: the hot springs were open.
Immersing tired bodies in warm mineral water after hours on ice is more than comfort — it’s integration.
We relaxed. Reflected. Processed growth.
That night, something unexpected became unforgettable.
We taught Missy, Amber, and Ruby how to make arepas and empanadas.
Flour covered the table.
Laughter filled the kitchen.
The first imperfect attempts turned into perfectly golden arepas.
It was cultural exchange in its purest form.
Mountain culture and Latin culture blending naturally.
We ended the night sharing dinner, music, and dancing. No schedule. No agenda. Just authentic community.
ADAPTABILITY AND A DESERT FINALE
Originally, we had planned for additional climbing. But the group had pushed hard — and part of responsible leadership is listening to fatigue.
So we adjusted.
We drove to Moab, Utah, and explored Arches National Park. We stopped at Double Arch and The Windows, walked through red rock landscapes, and absorbed the contrast between frozen waterfalls and desert stone.
From vertical ice to open desert.
Two completely different terrains. Two powerful lessons.
That evening, we returned to Salt Lake City for our final night together.
Hugs. Gratitude. Quiet reflection.
Then departures.
WHAT THIS REALLY MEANS
This expedition is not just an annual trip.
It is:
Access.
Technical education.
Leadership development.
Representation.
National expansion.
Every year, more states join.
Every year, more confidence is built.
Every year, the narrative shifts.
And we are only getting started.
If you want to be part of the next expedition, stay connected. New programs and opportunities will be announced soon.
We’ll see you on the ice.
