Ice Opener
As was mentioned in the fall, we decided to move the ice opener to January 7th in hopes of more consistent weather. With our luck the weather during December was ideal when compared to the sunny days we have been having now. While the sunny climbs up Crandell may be out of shape, the drywood ice box should be in stellar conditions. As such I think moving this year's rather small event to Drywood would be wise.
Ropes will be set up on the large large where the pillars are located. Enterprising groups can tackle the Gasser on any number of different lines. I have a feeling a number of mixed lines will be put up, so this year may be a bit of a new route show. Hopefully Blair will bring the newly refurbished bolter - no carrying batteries in your pack side pockets!
I think a meeting time of 9:30 at the gates seems reasonable. That would mean hitting the ice at 10:15. Bring your rock shoes, if it is warm you can rock climb on the upper tier while people bash away on solid ice around the corner in the shade.
UPDATE
More pictures are up at here and at Dave Stepehen's FTP page
Good conditions, but now there are a couple of new routes that are just crying for some attention.
posted by chris g @ 1/03/2006 01:22:00 PM
15 Comments
15 Comments:
Happy New Year amigos.
Just checking in to make sure the Ice-Breaker is on for Saturday still. Not sure seeing the forecast is for plus 10 tomorrow. If it's still on I'll bring some Trango and Austri Alpin gear for everyone to demo. Also, we have a few gear specials at the shop (Rock Gear Inc.) now:
Trango Original Flexcams - $25 each
Trango Cinch - $60
Austri Alpin Tyrol P12 Crampons - $95 per set
Austri Alpin Siko FX ice screws (Awesome) - $45 each
Let me know if anyone needs (email me at aaron@climbingdistributors.com) any gear and I'll bring it along to the Fest.
Cheers - Aaron
Posted by Aaron Hemphill
It should still be a go. I didn't advertise it much this year - I was gone for a good part of december. However the ice up drywood should be in awesome shape. The freeze thaw will make it quite fat. I think a few new mixed lines should get worked while we are there.
Looking forward to seeing you there.
Posted by chris goble
Forecast is for rain, never fails, it has rained three years in a row now.... I am going to try and make it out but I have some existing commitments that might interfere.
Cheers.
Posted by scott harms
Dave and i'll be there. I'll bring the drill. Do we need bolts or chain Chris??
Posted by Blair Piggot
I'm bringing a guy with me (other than Blair). He climbs rock, does some general mountaineering, scrambling, and just got into backcountry skiing. He's been wanting to try ice as well, so he's coming with me.
Aaron, bring those Trango crampons that we were talking about.
Posted by Dave Stephens
I'll bring bolts and chains. Another begginer will be coming with me. (Girlfriend's brother in law) However he needs to carpool with someone from Lethbridge. Would you be willing to take someone Blair?
Posted by chris goble
Are we going to have a BBQ with burgers and hotdogs?
Posted by Dave Stephens
There are at least 3 of us (Awesome Adventures staff) coming out this weekend. I'm pretty sure we will be at Drywood, unless there is no ice there.
Anyway, we may be coming from Lethbridge early Saturday morning....there are also tentative plans to camp out Friday night. (There may be a ride available). I'll keep you posted.
Aimee
Posted by Aimee Procyk
I've got lots of room as if anybody needs a ride. Chris, have your girlfriends brother in law, or anyone else that needs a ride, to phone me at work 329-6262 until 5:00 or at home tonite 327-9914.
Posted by Blair Piggot
With the long approach, and no working hibacchi, I think the burgers are off this year.
The bright thing about the area with variable weather is the large overhang in which to hang out.
Posted by chris goble
I am driving from Lethbridge if anyone needs a ride. We might leave very early, but plans will change. The ice was average a couple of days ago, but it will be a blast anyways. Call me if you need a ride. 394-0645 or email me. I will check my messages often. There are three of us coming so far. We are all in between novices and experts. Good one! :) See you all there. Thanks.
Brandon
Posted by Brandon Fletcher
Hey,
I'm not much of a 'water'-fall climber so we're off in search of "ice" elsewhere on Saturday. got to get above 6000. Sorry to miss you all.
Dave, we'll have to get those trango Crampons to you another time. Are you in the CNP during the week ever or should we ship them to you?
Cheers,
Aaron
Posted by Aaron Hemphill
Well the climbing turned out to be quite nice. The main pillar had really good ice. It wasn't dripping nearly as much as usual. Rainbow Peace caravan was formed nicely, providing the most challenging climbing of all.
Quite a few mixed lines are up on the roofs to the left. Unfortunately we didn't get any ropes set up for them. The drive to the landing turned out to be quite a nice treat.
I will post picts tomorrow. If any one has pictures to post, you can send them to me, cgoble@allstream.net, or put themm up yourself, on Flicr, or kodak easy share, or something similar.
Posted by chris goble
where's the photos?? Sorry I missed it, we had company all weekend, sound's like it was pretty decent out there.....
Posted by scott harms
Sorry scott, I was uploading them this morning. I had forgotten my camera the last 2 days.
http://www.libertypages.com/chris/watertonblog/Pictures.html
http://dave-stephens.com/temp/Drywood/
Posted by chris goble
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