Colorado American Legion Adventures
CALA Climbers

Colorado American Legion Adventures (CALA) is an adventure sports program, developed by The American Legion, Department of Colorado, and is designed to offer outdoor programs to Veterans, Sons, Auxiliary members and their families.  The program is intended to provide the opportunity to for members to join their comrades in exciting, adrenaline-filled activities, experience the thrill of the outdoors and develop strong bonds with fellow members and their families.

CALA Climbers is an affiliate of the CALA and is a group comprised of members who want to increase their skills in a sport which is physically and mentally demanding, and will test his or her strength, endurance, agility and balance along with their mental control.  Many climbers are drawn to the sport due to the technical challenges it presents, and the gratification derived from successfully surmounting monolithic rock and ice structures.

Some of the goals of this group are to draw veterans of all ages together with a fun and healthy activity, and to return to them the sense of camaraderie that is often lacking after one leaves active military service.  But members of this group will not only have the opportunity to connect with their comrades, but will do so in an exciting and stimulating environment, chock full of natural beauty with expansive vistas, sheer cliffs, incredible ice structures and deep contrasts, which are rarely available for experience outside of the Colorado Rockies.

Members of the group will enjoy exploiting some of the best climbing in the country, with climbs for all skill levels within easy reach of Front Range communities.  Members of the CALA Climbers will visit classics such as Garden of the Gods, Boulder, Cheyenne, Castlewood, Clear Creek and Red Rock Canyons.

For those members interested in Ice Climbing, you couldn’t live in a better place.  Colorado has some of the best ice climbing available anywhere in the world and is quite accessible.  Ice falls such as those in Ouray, Vail and Rock Mountain National Park are some of the greats and are just a short drive from downtown Denver.  However, climbing adventures will be organized all over the state, and will be sure to include members statewide.

CALA Climbers participants will benefit from discounted rates on training programs through indoor rock climbing facilities and certified lead climbing groups for guided group ice and rock climbs.  Members, whether at the beginner, intermediate or advanced skill levels will improve their skills and knowledge in areas such as proper climbing techniques, use of specialized equipment, top roping, lead climbing, and rappelling.  Members interested in Ice Climbing will gain proficiencies in front pointing, protection placement, knots and belays, abseiling, lowering and much more.  As an added benefit, your membership will qualify you for discounts on gear and equipment through sport retailers which are essential to the sport.

Participation in the CALA Climbers is non-exclusive, however all potential members should be in good health, moderately active, and willing to push themselves to their physical and mental limits.