Upper Bridal Veil Falls  WI5+

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Type:  Ice, 2 pitches, 200 feet Consensus:  WI5+ [details] FA:  ? Season:  Winter Submitted By:  bsmoot on Jan 8, 2008 You & This Route  |  Other Opinions (1) Your todo list: Your stars: Your rating: -none- [change] Your ticklist: [add new tick]

BETA PHOTO: Upper Bridal is the pillar just right of the upper...

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Description 

Upper Bridal Veil Falls is the natural ice that forms during periods of very cold weather. It comes in and is climbable about once every 3 years.

P1 - Some approach ice leads to the first pitch, which is a hollow, free standing vertical pillar about 80-100'. Belay on a welcome ledge.
P2 - Climb thin, slightly overhanging ice to the top. Bolts or trees may be found.

The base of the main pillar rests on a slab of limestone, so this climb should only be attempted during periods of very cold temperatures. The earliest known ascent I'm aware of was in 1987 by myself and Bill Robins.

Some excellent, steep ice farming has been done to the right and to the left of Upper Bridal Veil.

Location 

Approach by hiking the trail to the East or climbing Bridal Veil Falls to the upper bowl. The Upper Falls form up just right of the main falls. Descend by rappeling from bolts placed for ice farming projects (2 ropes). You can also hike West to a gully that heads down some moderate ice and snow. You can avoid rappeling the lower section by traversing the terraces a bit to get down to the Upper Falls basin.

Protection 

Screws

Photos of Upper Bridal Veil Falls Slideshow

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A climber on the 1st pitch of the farmed ice.	BETA PHOTO: Ice farming on Upper Bridal Veil Falls, 2006	BETA PHOTO: Farming left of Upper Bridal Veil.
BETA PHOTO: Upper Bridal is incomplete on the left, farmed ice...