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Cracked ice Rock Climbing

Climbing Area Map

Routes in Cracked ice

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Unknown T 5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b

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Elevation:	4,945 ft
GPS:	61.15985, -145.60004 Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views:	1,016 total · 18/month
Shared By:	Nick Weicht on Sep 9, 2019
Admins:	L. Von Dommelheimer Page Updates (admin only)

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Description

Some of the best climbing in Valdez and possibly the chugach can be found here in the Alpine cliffs above brush line. While there is still primarily choss everywhere in the chugach mountains one can be pleasantly surprised by a handful of routes that are Stellar in quality and can't be beat in terms of setting. Multi pitch, moderate Trad is the name of the game. Snow can be found on the approach through midsummer so bring appropriate Footwear, crampons can also be helpful but are not necessary to access all sectors.

Getting There

From mile marker 33 on the Richardson HWY locate the summer trail 100 meters north of the waterfall. Follow the creek bed up that is marked with numerous carens and gain the brushy shoulder on the east side of the creek and follow the climbers trail up into the alpine, about 1 hour to the alpine from the road. Keep a sharp eye out for cut marks or rock stacks to mark the trail as it can be difficult to locate During certain seasons. Continue towards the snow/rock dome nunatak in front of Cracked Ice. You can go east or west around the nunatak. Traversing west brings you to the large hanging valley glacier by Python and the Cracked Ice Glacier tongue that is 35-40 steep alpine ice in the summer or snow in winter. The east side is a more gentle glacier that brings you to a col to access the Cracked Ice Glacier above the glacier tongue.