Uncompahgre Gorge aka Ouray Ice Park

As of January 23 Bear Creek Falls was in fat (at least the bottom) and had some sweet ice, although the top was thin (be careful of falling in the creek!).

As of March 27, 2002 the climbs in the ice park were in and not too hacked out. The park below the lower bridge is closed due to the warm temps but the Schoolroom area is in. Some of the harder lines are melted out but the lower angle flows in the shade were O.K.

Spent 4 days at the Ice Park. The ice is in great condition. Definitely check out the "New Funteer" area between the Schoolroom and South Park. Everything from mellow WI2-3 to some steep mixed stuff. Cool area (rap in, climb out but there's a solo-able gully near the middle). There are 6 new routes south of South Park also. All are steep with some very "interesting" ice.

Pic' o the Vic is WAY fat though getting pretty hacked out. Tangled up in Blue seems to be getting less traffic. Paranoia is in awesome shape and the Schoolroom is better than I've ever seen it. The lower gorge climbs, which were pretty thin last year, are also in nicely.

The ice is in relatively good shape. However, due to the recent warm temperatures, they haven't been able farm any new.

We arrived in Ouray on 3/13/03 to find the temperature = 60F! Climbed 3/14 & 3/15 in the Gorge. They had not made any new ice for a while, thus the routes were a bit worn, but still good. The tools sticks were soft and easy, though screws seemed to melt out in 10 minutes - we toproped! The dripping water was only annoying on 3/14, but worse on 3/15 when it got warmer. We quit mid-day on Saturday due to melting ice. The last route we wanted to climb in the lower gorge seemed unstable so we bailed. As we left, just 50 yards down canyon we found the Poodle Sex route mostly fallen down, and the lowest route in the gorge was a very fresh, very large, pile of rubble on the gorge floor! Be careful. Colder temp may help now, but you had better call ahead to check. They may/may not farm any more new ice this year.

We arrived in Ouray on 3/13/03 to find the temperature = 60F! Climbed 3/14 & 3/15 in the Gorge. They had not made any new ice for a while, thus the routes were a bit worn, but still good. The tools sticks were soft and easy, though screws seemed to melt out in 10 minutes - we toproped! The dripping water was only annoying on 3/14, but worse on 3/15 when it got warmer. We quit mid-day on Saturday due to melting ice. The last route we wanted to climb in the lower gorge seemed unstable so we bailed. As we left, just 50 yards down canyon we found the Poodle Sex route mostly fallen down, and the lowest route in the gorge was a very fresh, very large, pile of rubble on the gorge floor! Be careful. Colder temp may help now, but you had better call ahead to check. They may/may not farm any more new ice this year.

There is still lots of ice in South Park, New Funteer and the Schoolroom. Picked out for sure, but plenty to play on. The park will be open until next weekend for sure. Cold and snowing now so get after it before it is gone.

Hey, the next time someone goes into the park; take a pic of the climber's entrance gate near the Upper. It's funky!