Photographer Bruce Hunter. Climbers to the R on T...
Description
A fun, prominent pillar of ice on the arête. Vertical, quality, sustained. Easier if chopped out. Find this climb downstream from the lower bridge of the Ouray Ice Park. It is easily viewed from the metal viewing platform below the bridge on the E side of the canyon. It lies slightly upstream from a double-trunked, large tree (juniper?) and just uphill from a small tree/bush (juniper?). It can form into 2 pillars or a single pillar depending on the year.
From the bottom of the canyon, find this first arête downstream from the lower bridge of the Ice Park with a pillar of ice. Likely, it will be chopped out due to it's popularity. Ascend moderate ice to a great ledge/rest just to the left of the upper pillar. Rest, then fire up vertical ice with a midheight awkward bulge to the top. More mentally intimidating than physically challenging. Steep-pick-tools can make this more of a cruise. Enjoy.
Protection
Screws/slings.
Toprope Protection
Long slings to reach the big juniper tree and short slings to reach the shorter tree/bush