Unique Proposal Idea for Outdoorsy Couples

An Adventurous Rock Climbing Proposal in Durango, CO

A proposal should be, at the center, a reflection of you as a couple and what you value. I’ve been seeing more and more couples straying away from the cookie-cutter “perfect” proposals from the internet and leaning into individualized, unique, thought-out experiences that speak to their personalities.

Ande and Madi have climbed Simeons to the Sun, a multi-pitch route at East Animas, countless times together as a couple. It has become an extremely special and sentimental route for them and is their favorite in all of Durango. They are both avid rock climbers and consider it not just their favorite hobby, but their lifestyle. They’ve travelled all over the world to climb and it’s their favorite way to spend time together and to connect with our natural world. Ande knew that he wanted to propose in a way that was unique and personalized to them, so a climbing proposal was the obvious best choice.

Planning and Logistics of a Climbing Proposal

When Ande first reached out to me about photographing this, it was clear that we needed to nail the logistics of where I would be, how I would get to the top of the climb, and how we could keep it a secret from Madi. Here is a breakdown of how we planned the proposal:

Parking

• I carpooled with their friends and family members who were also included so that we wouldn’t take up too many parking spaces at the crag. Also, we drove my car so that Madi wouldn’t recognize her friends’ cars and get suspicious. We all agreed on a timeframe that gave us a couple hours of wiggle-room in case things took longer than expected.

Getting To The Top

• We ascended a fixed line one at a time with an ascender and a ladder. The line was situated away from the actual climb, so the couple didn’t see us as they were gearing up. We then hiked up and around the climb until we got to the top where the anchor was. It took us about an hour to get all 5 of us up there, which is why we gave ourselves ample time before we knew they would be there.

Hiding Out

• We were in text communication with Ande, so he let us know when they were starting the climb so we could hide and be quiet. There was a perfect hiding spot for me behind a tree and rock where I could stick my camera lens out to capture the moment. I had my big zoom lens on so I could be far enough away and she wouldn’t see me. The rest of the friends and family found other hiding places behind rocks and set up a phone video to record.

The Ring

• Ande didn’t want to climb with the ring in case he damaged it or Madi saw it, so we had one of their friends carry it up and give it to Ande when he topped out the climb. We made sure to be quiet about the switch because Madi was just a ledge below, but she couldn’t see anything happening because of the angle of the rock.

Key Factors

• This climb was a multi-pitch, which made it easier for the logistics of the proposal at the top to work. Ande was able to get up to the top first and then top-belay Madi the rest of the way, so they were both up there when he proposed. On a normal 1 pitch climbing route, the belayer is on the ground, so the proposal has to happen at the base of the climb unless other systems are worked out.

The Proposal- Top of Simians to the Sun at East Animas

We all waited nervously in our hiding spots for Madi to finish the climb. When she popped over the edge, we knew that it was about to happen. Ande positioned them in the right spot and then asked her to marry him with an incredible, panoramic view of all of Durango below them. She was so surprised by the proposal and even more surprised when all of us cheered from our stakeouts. Below are the photos that I was able to capture from my hideout!

What To Do After a Proposal

After we let them have their moment alone to let it sink in, we had a little celebration up on the rocks. Their friends and family hugged them with teary eyes, they Facetimed their other family members who couldn’t make it, we popped a bottle of champagne, and everyone admired the ring and the contagious smiles on their faces. We soaked in the beautiful afternoon sun and let them bask in the newly-engaged feeling while taking in their favorite view.

Unique Engagement Ring Idea

As I mentioned before, rock climbing is a foundational part of Ande and Madi’s relationship and it has a lot of impact on how they relate to the world. He chose an engagement ring shaped like a figure-eight knot, a common knot used in climbing.

When he proposed, he had a beautiful metaphor to go along with the ring: A figure 8 knot gets tighter the more you pull on it and is a secure, reliable connection point that is difficult to un-do. He compared it to their relationship and their love for one another, saying that the more it’s tested, the stronger it becomes. The intention and deep thought that went into the ring choice was so special and Madi loved that it was so unique to her. It was fun to grab some photos of the ring with her chalky hands untying her climbing shoes and reaching for her gear.

Outdoorsy Engagement Pictures

We took a few quick moments to get some photos of the two of them and the amazing views. I made sure to not take too long with the photo session so they could get back to having fun with their friends and family. They kept their climbing gear on and went barefoot, so the photos feel playful, relaxed, and unique- just like their proposal day was.

Tips for Personalizing a Proposal

It can be daunting to brainstorm the perfect proposal, so here are some questions you can ask yourself and a few tips to find the right proposal experience:

• What do you like to do together? Climbing was the obvious choice for Ande and Madi, but there are so many options here. Keep in mind the activities that make you feel excited and ones that are low-stress. It’s easy to fall into the trap that your proposal has to be a show-stopping adventure that neither of you have ever done before, but it’s sometimes more special and less anxiety-inducing to propose during one of your familiar outings.
• What can you do to make it memorable? Ande decided to have friends and family join at the top, a photographer to capture it all, and flowers and champagne waiting for her. He also put a lot of thought into the logistics so that it remained a surprise. Little touches like those are what will make a proposal special!
• Hire the right vendors: Choose a proposal photographer or videographer skilled in planning and executing the style you envision. For more extreme adventure proposals like this one, hiring vendors who are already competent in the sport and have done similar things in the past will help you avoid a lot of unnecessary stress.

Link to the Climbing Route:

https://www.mountainproject.com/route/105820922/simians-to-the-sun

Book Your Adventurous Proposal Photographer:

I’d love to be involved in helping you execute your adventurous proposal! I have a lot of outdoor climbing, canyoneering, hiking, and water sport experience so I can be a valuable resource in planning (+ I’m an expert at hiding out with my camera to capture the moment!) Reach out here to chat about your dream proposal!