The place is FULL of killer lines. Is this an extra huge year or something? LONG lines, skinny lines, thin lines, fat lines. ice all over the place. most unexpected to see that.
I haven't donned crampons in a couple of decades. I know standards have soared, screws gotten better etc.
But still I am not sure that most of the smears have enough time to mature to a state that has them very well bonded to the rock. I took the above picture Friday 02/01/08. It looks like a viable climb for a super hot ice climber or some psycho 'wing nut' that climbs sans pro/solo, however the bottom half fell down around noon or so.
Maybe as John said, back in the depths of the canyons you might find some good lines that are more stable due to being in a chute/ gully. However all the ones I have seen form on the walls and slabs are way to unbonded to be safe and that is regardless of the thickness and maturity of the ice. For the most part it would be a very 'Scottish' outing of harem scarem verglas with ultra sketchy or no pro.
But hey ... post pic's, it would be exciting to see.
Has anyone ever recorded an ice ascent in Red Rocks before ? (John, Larry ...?)
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