2024 M Climb: Sesquicentennial edition of annual tradition set for Aug. 16

Colorado School of Mines will hold its annual M Climb this week to welcome first-year students to campus.

A Mines tradition dating back to 1908, the M Climb brings together the newest class of Orediggers every year the Friday before fall classes begin. Students climb Mount Zion in Golden, carrying 10-pound rocks from their hometowns. Upon reaching the top, students place their rocks on the mountainside emblem in the shape of an M, visible throughout Golden and beyond.

The 2024 M Climb is scheduled for the morning of Friday, Aug. 16. Fall classes begin Monday, Aug. 19.

Mines received about 11,960 applications for the 2024-25 academic year and will welcome 1,774 first-year and transfer students to campus this fall as part of its sesquicentennial class.

Founded in 1874 – two years before Colorado was granted statehood – Mines is celebrating its 150th anniversary all year long, with special events and activities for the campus community, alumni and beyond. For more on our 150th anniversary, go to 150.mines.edu.

New Mines students: By the numbers, 2024-25 edition

1,774  new first-year and transfer students

516  women

538 students from underrepresented domestic ethnic or racial groups

18 percent first-generation college students

3 percent international students

3.88 median high school GPA (on an unweighted 4.0 scale)

1400 median SAT composite score

32 median ACT score

49 states represented

21 countries represented

Top 3 U.S. states outside Colorado: Texas, California and Washington

Top 3 countries outside U.S.: Saudi Arabia, Oman and China

M Climb logistics

Timing
The M Climb will kick off around 7:30 a.m. Friday, Aug. 16 in the Intramural Fields (1651 Elm St., Golden). Students will depart in two waves, at 7:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m.

Route
Students will walk from the IM Fields to 19th Street, cross over U.S. 6 and then climb up Lookout Mountain Road to the M on Mount Zion. After the climb, students will walk back to campus for a cookout and additional Helluva Welcome activities.

Note on Access
During the M Climb, Lookout Mountain Road will be closed to the public above the arches until 1 p.m. Friday.