Spring Break Ice Climbing

Really soon to be thinking about this one! But a friend of mine and I were talking a few weeks back about this and it just got in my mind again after fondling some tools at a gear shop.

I like the idea of a spring break rock trip, which I've done for the past few years, but the problem is that it shows up just as ice season is winding down- or even before it has had the chance to die off! I'd rather let the ice season go out with a bang than do a spring rock trip and have to sit on my hands for a few weeks after while the weather in the Northeast comes around again... I'd take the smooth action of a well driven screw in March plastic over the snappy security of a quickdraw going onto a bolt anyway.

So. Any recommendations for ice climbing in Mid March? I live in the north country of New York and climb mostly in the Adirondacks, but would like to get away. I was thinking the White Mountains would be a good place. Any other suggestions in the continuous United States? Something more "exotic"? Ouray seems like an excellent option... Never been out west so that'd be wild!

You can usually be OK mid-march (but not late March) in NH's White Mtns...but not much different from Adks (except for Huntington Ravine); so why not go further north into Quebec, maybe along the Gaspie ?  

You could try Nipigon, their icefest was at the beginning of March this year. The stuff in the UP is worth looking at as well, although I am not sure how late that tends to be in season.

White mountains can be fickle in March as far as ice conditions go, at least that has been my experience.

Jon E. wrote: You could try Nipigon, their icefest was at the beginning of March this year. The stuff in the UP is worth looking at as well, although I am not sure how late that tends to be in season.

White mountains can be fickle in March as far as ice conditions go, at least that has been my experience.

The UP might be interesting... Maybe I'll do some pocking at Munising and such too. Hopefully there's some north facing ice crags and a good place to crash

Ouray and the San Juans could be hit or miss, you'll have to watch for conditions updates closer to the trip. Hyalite will still have lots to climb as will Cody and the Canadian Rockies.

Re Quebec - Not personally been there.  A friend went up for "cat" skiing and said there was plenty of ice "everywhere".  If you're in the Adks anyway, why not drop by the Canadian Alpine Club cabin some Canadian 3-day weekend; I'm sure you'd find some climbers there who could give you Beta. (also, maybe join ACC ?)

Upstate Climber wrote:

The UP might be interesting... Maybe I'll do some pocking at Munising and such too. Hopefully there's some north facing ice crags and a good place to crash

https://www.mountainproject.com/forum/topic/113802841/17-18-midwest-ice-conditions?page=9

As an "Upstate climber" myself, I'd second a vote to Hylite.  Bozeman is beautiful and there's plenty of icefall to get on in the backcountry.  I spent a week out there for the Bozeman Ice Fest a couple years ago and was very impressed. 

Cody or Hyalite Canyon.

If you don't like regressive Québécois, then avoid Quebec and all their wonderful ice.  Though if I still lived on the east coast, I would of learned French to climb and ski up there.

March is the perfect time to climb ice here in Alaska!

climbing coastie wrote: March is the perfect time to climb ice here in Alaska!

I've seen Alaska State Troopers, I don't know if I can handle that place

gaspe seems to be pretty good in march???? never been in winter but it looks amazeing on facebook!

Upstate Climber wrote:

I've seen Alaska State Troopers, I don't know if I can handle that place

That’s about like me saying the entire state of New York sucks and is really dangerous because of NYC. 

climbing coastie wrote:

That’s about like me saying the entire state of New York sucks and is really dangerous because of NYC.