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Midwest Ice Conditions 15/16 season

Double J · · Sandy, UT · Joined Apr 2006 · Points: 3,931

Wyalusing is good to go, both along the River and in the Quarry.
Pikes Peak is not in, That is from second hand info.

NOTICE: Yesterday the Sheriff was called by the RR and the people climbing along the tracks were asked to leave. Also, a group was asked to leave last weekend. Right now the Sheriff is just issuing warnings about trespassing along the tracks to access the climbs. This could become a a real issue that you will need to address if you want to climb there in the future.

i.e. Where is the park/RR boundary? Access the climb from above only? or pay the ticket once the sheriff gets tired of issuing verbal warnings if you really want to climb there that day...

Tomek PL · · Chicago · Joined Sep 2011 · Points: 5

Thanks Jon, I am planning to be there this Sunday...

Woodchuck ATC · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Nov 2007 · Points: 3,280
jon jugenheimer wrote:Damn that's fat! How much rain did you guys get Woodchuck?
About 1.3 on my rain gauge...I see that pic above and although I'm one who was always eager to climb up between rotten ice,,,it looks a pretty far stretch from last chunk up to the top. Our homegrown' ice was still up yesterday,,,in bits and pieces, could be down by end of weekend if it stays warm all today. Done is done I guess.
Andy P. · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Apr 2013 · Points: 190
maps.ags.ruekert-mielke.com…

Make sure to enable google satellite map overlay. This info is from the county assessor, about as accurate as you can get.

Here is a screenshot of the road crossing, the railroad right-of-way stays consistently at this boundary through the park. Perhaps someone with some better skills can derive what the width of the right of way is.
BNSF ROW
Schulb72 · · Winston-Salem, NC · Joined May 2012 · Points: 190

Conditions at gov dodge, Stephens falls area... best in the last 3 years I've been going there

Stephens falls area 2-6-2016

Schulb72 · · Winston-Salem, NC · Joined May 2012 · Points: 190

Cox hollow, not so great. Small climbable sections but you'll be battling a stream on the left side and rain thinned parts on the right

Cox hollow, 2-6-2016

Andy P. · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Apr 2013 · Points: 190

Not good news on this. That triangular parcel of land immediately between road X and the tracks is owned by "BNSF Railway Co."

We will have to develop new approaches to the climbs from the top. Just FYI I have dealt with railroads before and railroad police and they are some of the absolute most obstructive jerks on the planet. They do not give a damn about anyone and lack any sort of common sense - there is absolutely no way a "deal" could be worked out with them, I would bet.

New approaches from top needed.

Doug Hemken · · Madison, WI · Joined Oct 2004 · Points: 13,668

Heard some clarification from the group that was escorted out by the sheriff. He told them you generally need to stay > 25 feet from the center line of the tracks.

A later conversation with the Park confirmed that the DNR thinks the ice of the Main Wall is on DNR property, and that accessing it from above should be all right. You might still be able to park by the quarry, but climb the hill back up the road a ways rather than hiking along the tracks.

Apparently these tracks are being used to transport Bakken crude, and it is considered a hazardous cargo, so the RR wants to be especially sure that no one does any mischief to the tracks.

Bottom line, you can still climb at the Main flow, but you should not be using the tracks proper to access the ice.

The officer was very cordial, btw, even while he was doing his job.

If you are interested in the Quarry, it now has a Facebook page you can use to contact Todd (current owner).

Jon E · · Longmont, CO · Joined Aug 2011 · Points: 96

Any recent activity at G-dodge or Wyalusing?

Jon E · · Longmont, CO · Joined Aug 2011 · Points: 96

Bump... Is there any hope of getting any last gasps ice at gdodge this weekend? Munising is also an option... if anyone knows what the status is up there.

Double J · · Sandy, UT · Joined Apr 2006 · Points: 3,931

Jon, check the MI ice fest Facebook page and blog for conditions at munising. Bill does a really good job keeping the updates flowing all season long.

Don't know about the dodge, but if I was a betting man, I would bet against it but take a look any how!

James Schroeder · · Fort Collins, CO · Joined May 2002 · Points: 3,166

I'm with Jon J on the G-Dodge speculation. I haven't been recently, but I live about 30 minutes North of the park, and I'd say there is virtually zero chance of ice there (or Wyalusing for that matter).

Brad Christie · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2015 · Points: 25

I was at Gov Dodge on Sunday to boulder. A little bit of snow on the ground and most water had just a think layer of ice. It was 52 deg and honestly didnt even expect to see any snow. Didn't look for ice climbing conditions and it didnt even occur that it was still a possiblity.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Midwest
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