Ice climbers NE Ohio?

Re-entering the sport after 2 decades away-been getting back into climbing shape since August via outdoor TRS with my new friend the fantastic TAZ Lov2 and climbing gym @4x week. 

Not sure how the Lov2 will do on wet/icy rope???

Just bought a bunch of new Ice gear-today!

I actually have 2 fairly nice ice formations that setup near me North Portage County @20’ vert. Mill Creek Park in Youngstown has some nice ice and since the park now allows bouldering I’m curious if anyone is ice-bouldering at Mill Creek?

Used to ice climb at night in some questionable-access wise spots near-in Youngstown Ohio/New Castle Pa/McConnells mill and a bunch of stuff out on the Western Slope near Rifle where I lived in 97-00 time frame. Mostly TRS with GriGri!

Anyway-NE Ohio is not a Mecca for ice but just wondering if any others are out there swinging a tool!

Hi Christian, yes I do actively try to climb NEO ice as much as possible. Have actually found a few solid (dare I say -classic-) lines around Lake County. Trying to get on a pretty tall and steep route here soon if temps stay favorable. I use the Lov3 and absolutely love it with a Sterling rope. If you want to get after some ice, let me know and I’ll take you to my favorite spot in lake county. A lot of my stuff is hidden from public view for now but have around 10 routes that are decent when filled in. 

I'm in the Akron Area, and Ice Climb in a few spots within 45 minutes of Akron, mostly North.  A couple are questionable access, a few others are open access and no issues climbing at.  I mostly TRS, as I usually go out early to avoid any crowds, and rangers.  I have a few people who climb as well.    

I also go up to the UP, and Peabody, with my son, and a few friends. 

Bronson that is awesome-back when I was WW kayaking I hit a lot of creeks in Ashtabula and Lake county and remember a couple nice falls up that way that probably make nice climbs. I also remember seeing some nice ice formations paddling the Grand River between Harpersfield and the takeout under the RT534 bridge.

Anyway I much appreciate your offer to checkout your spots! I’ll DM you my phone number. All my ice gear is brand new without scratches yet-I need to change that ASAP!

Also good to know the TAZ Lov is working for you on Ice!

Adam thanks for responding! Good to know about spots around Akron/im assuming CVNP etc also another TRS specialist in the area! I work 7on/7off (days) and see Peabody’s has an intro class this weekend something I would have loved to do as a refresher but-it’s a Work weekend!!!! I do plan on going up to Peabody’s within the next month to run laps.

On a side note, I have a friend who has a silo on his property North Portage county and would really like to get that thing iced up-not really sure about how to determine if the structure is stable and also the liability type issues associated with that. I have about a dozen silos within 5 miles of me-sure would be cool to get a Peabody’s type park in NE Ohio.

Christian Blohmwrote:

Adam thanks for responding! Good to know about spots around Akron/im assuming CVNP etc also another TRS specialist in the area! I work 7on/7off (days) and see Peabody’s has an intro class this weekend something I would have loved to do as a refresher but-it’s a Work weekend!!!! I do plan on going up to Peabody’s within the next month to run laps.

On a side note, I have a friend who has a silo on his property North Portage county and would really like to get that thing iced up-not really sure about how to determine if the structure is stable and also the liability type issues associated with that. I have about a dozen silos within 5 miles of me-sure would be cool to get a Peabody’s type park in NE Ohio.

I have hit up some spots in CVNP, but I know some others have gotten caught by rangers, so I try to avoid it.  There are some other spots up in Bedford/Tinkers Creek Reservation that have some good ice, and less patrolled.  

If you want to meet up at Peabody sometime, let me know.  I have a busy schedule, but looking to get out as much as possible this year.  I upgraded a lot of gear with some good sales over the summer, so I need to get some scratches on it.  We are booked to MI Icefest for our 3rd year.  No classes or clinics this year, just going to explore the backcountry climbs. 

I TRS both rock and ice.  My son isn't big enough, or old enough to belay me, so it came out of necessity.  I run a Microtraxion, and C&T Roll'n lock.  Works great for up, but have to transition to something to rap down. I'm curious how the Lov works on icy ropes, and am a little leery of it with some recent reports of it failing to catch a long fall. 

Adam I’ll DM you my number!

I’ve climbed probably @200 TRS pitches with the Taz Lov2 since starting to use it in August Logtown (Lisbon) McConnells Mill and West Branch and it has worked 100% with immediate catch the way I have it setup I trail a MicroTrax below it 6-8” I used to use a Kong Duck MicroTrax which was great but the change-over to rappel device IMO is the most dangerous spot in TRS systems.

The Lov takes that issue 100% out of the equation. Now if we’re talking wet/icy rope I have no idea.

I kayaked Tinkers multiple times back in the day after big rains! It was good to be young, foolish and lucky. I imagine Tinkers falls can be great ice climbs.

Look forward to meeting you. Hopefully conditions are good this winter to get some ice climbs in! 

I think Peabody’s will be a great place to get some laps in and tips to improve my technique.

**I am planning on going to Peabody’s on the 11th and/or 12th might stay overnight somewhere local if I come up on the 11th and climb 2 days!

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