Cascade man injured in crash

A 28-year-old Cascade man is in the hospital with serious injuries after his car swerved into a boulder and went flying along U.S. 24 in Cascade on Oct. 28, authorities confirmed.

The driver lost control of the vehicle traveling westbound on the highway by Milepost 295, west of Manitou Springs, around 4:30 p.m., a Colorado State Patrol spokesperson said. After hitting the boulder, the car, a grey Subaru sedan, briefly went airborne and then rolled over onto its roof before getting stuck in a tree.

Multiple agencies, including the Manitou Springs and Colorado Springs fire departments, responded to the scene, according to the Green Mountain Falls and Chipita Park Fire Department.

The man was airlifted to a nearby hospital, the State Patrol spokesperson said.

Friday Night Ice

The popular Friday Night Ice ice climbing event is set to return to the Lake George area this winter, and if you’re looking to stick some picks into the wall on a budget in a more approachable environment, there’s perhaps no better deal in the Colorado.

Hosted by Front Range Climbing Company on a top-roped human-built ice wall, Friday Night Ice invites those with at least some ice climbing experience to attend one of their $40 four-hour Friday sessions set to take place throughout the winter season. For comparison, similar experiences can often cost $200 or more.

This year, it’s planned for the South Platte Ice Wall to feature 10 unique routes of varying difficulty once its filled in, with the first Friday Night Ice date set for January 9 at this time (though it looks like January 2 may be a possibility, too). Available dates currently stretch into mid-April. Each night is limited to 24 climbers, ensuring that everyone will have plenty of time on the ice.

Climbers attending Friday Night Ice should also have strong top-rope belaying abilities. Belaying in an ice climbing scenario can be more difficult than standard rock climbing belaying, as stiff ropes and a snowy ground make rope handling skills and the ability to keep a firm footing crucial.

Assessor talk

A Teller County Assessor’s meeting will be held on Nov. 19 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Ute Pass Cultural Center. The meeting will be focused on agricultural classification and will feature updates from the assessor’s office and Teller County realtors.