Curecanti Monster in fat, excellent condition. Mar...
Description
This line catches your eyes as you read Jack Roberts’ Colorado Ice, Vol. 1 as it describes it as “the longest climb in Colorado and possibly in the lower 48.” Not to be disrespectful, but what about Camp Bird’s 1100 ft Bird Brain Boulevard & 1100 ft The Mainline, Engineer Pass’ 1300 ft Kennedy’s Gulch and 1300 ft Centerfold, Lake City’s 1300 ft, Senor Presidente, Eureka’s 1600 ft Direct North Face & 1100 ft Campground Couloir/Snowblind/Cataract Creek & 1200 ft Stairway to Heaven (going to the top of the ice), the 800m Sherman Climb, Grand Teton’s 1400 ft Black Ice Couloir, Yosemite’s Widow’s Tears? Ah, we digress. A fly over might get your juices going as it looks quite impressive from the air, more so than up close. In essence, it has 200+ ft of steep climbing with a bunch of low angle ice above and below it. Nonetheless, the climb is adventurous, provides a good aerobic day (if warm temps), and has a fairly wild feeling for its proximity to civilization.
Due to the sun exposure on its approach, it is best to pick a cold and/or cloudy day. Due to the snow accumulation along the way, flotation devices (skis or snowshoes) are mandatory. There are big cats that inhabit the area. The season is probably to late March. April is really too late and the ice gets sun exposure and makes it quite confidence-deflating. If the day is sunny and/or warm, it can take 4 hours+ to reverse the approach with thigh to waist deep wallowing.
P1-2. If you go down to the river level, you will find a pitch or two of WI2 ice and snow to the base of the steep section, wonderfully shown on p. 108 of Colorado Ice, Vol. 1. You may wallow up snow to an ideal belay spot. We were informed that this lower bit might not be worth the effort.
P3. You may have choices here. In the above photo, this steep bit appears to be a curtain with short bulges & ramps to start. In late season conditions, you may be give 3 options (L, R, & center). L side appeared to be wet late in the season. Center was reportedly a steep pillar WI5+ or 6-, imaginary pro, 60 ft. The R side was by far the most reasonable line, WI3+ for 160 ft with a 30 ft WI4 bit at the end. You can certainly split this into 2 pitches.
P4,5,6. Low angle ice WI 1-2. The above mentioned photo does accurately depict their steepness. Each pitch is about 190 ft. Gets you to your first rappel point. Note, any ice screws or V-threads left may melt out.
Note, since there is no WI4 to 6- option for rating, the rating is left as above.
Location
Drive US 50 to mile marker 124, about a half hour W of Gunnison. There is a pullout on the N side of the road which lies just E of some power lines. This lies <1 mi E of Alpine Plateau Rd & the Arrowhead Lodge turnoff. Note, keep a low profile, since access/property boundaries are not completely clear.
Here, you drop down a loose, steep hillside littered with cans, bottles, and carcasses perhaps 300 vertical feet. Cross a snowbridge (ideally) or balance your way across on partially submerged rocks. Now, work your way up a hillside (600-700 vertical ft) that may be largely free of snow on game trails just R of the powerlines. Go up to the 2nd or 3rd powerline tower. At the 3rd, you can gain access to the allegedly public road. Or, at the 2nd, you may be able to contour R. Follow this gently downhill to a fenced area. You can follow the road through a fenced area as it curves L past 4 cabins or you may be able to follow the fence line to the L. You can follow a narrow road (crosses under another set of powerlines) on to the W as it passes a boulder-capped knoll on the L. Just W of this knoll, follow an aspen-filled drainage/gully down (depicted below). Descend probably 600-800 vertical feet to where the ice begins. Rap in off a tree (not fixed) and then with a minimum of 3 V-threads. 3 60m raps gets you to the top of the steep section. Count on 1-4 hours each way. Note, late in the season, this upper parts is entirely exposed to sun and can run with water.
Someone suggested driving to the N rim, descending, & crossing the frozen river, but from what we saw, that looked like a death trap. Word out there is that the FAs used ice skates to access this area from further upstream...yikes!
Protection
Ice screws, a stubby or two might be useful, V-thread materials, 60-70m ropes
wow...Leo - maybe it would be a good idea to add'a can of bear/cat pepper spray to the "Protection" list. Would really suc* to have to run from a big-cat while having to post-hole in 2-4' of snow..?!?! Furr-ball o'me-ow ~
By Leo Paik Administrator From: Westminster, Colorado Feb 24, 2007
Nah, when we went down the gully, there were some big kitty prints and a nice bit o' deer for lunch. Made ya think about sticking closer to yer pardner, since kitties tend to snack more on isolated meals & cats are a bit faster than cubbies. Cluck, cluck, cluck.
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