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'17-'18 Midwest ice conditions
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Supposed st. Louis canyon at SRSP. Jan 2, 2018 No word on access as of yet  https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=968947349918900&id=495265390620434 |
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Lone Rock is very close. From what we could tell it wasn't touching down yet. The river is frozen but slushy at the base of the routes. Cox Hollow at G. Dodge is fat! Best conditions it's been in years. Cheers! |
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Starved Rock has the sign in sheets up an allowing climbing!! Ottawa shot from instagram  |
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Thank you sir! |
Mikeyy wrote: AND the rumors of possible access to St. Louis ice and French Canyons is WRONG. NOT for use. Do NOT climb ice in St. Louis Canyon or French Canyon as they are still on the NO CLIMB list. Same 4 canyons as last year, same rules. Stop at maintenance shack to sign in and out on board. Leave notes on conditons so IF park checks the board, they can possibly give a report on ice. They do not want to field dozens of phone calls about 'is the ice ready for climbing'. as they do NOT give condition consent ,,,that is our choice and responsibility. Pic I took in Wildcat today shows that a chunk started to form, but has fallen to the canyon floor. There is NO base 'cauliflower' forming ,,, evidence of very little flow again in the canyons. Plenty of cold, even a few inches of snow, but little flow and thus, not much to work with to form big ice. More later on comment heard today, and hints of a dim future ahead for us in seasons to come. But as of 2PM Thursday, 1-4-18, there is no ice but at least the sign in board is out now for us to check in and out.  |
Woodchuck ATC wrote: |
Mikeyy wrote: St Louis STILL CLOSED.... |
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Yes climbers, please for Starved Rock,,only post up pics of ice we CAN climb, pics from this season of current conditions. Scenic shots of the park can be posted elsewhere, but if posted here they will confuse people on access and/or conditions. Same 4 canyons are open for this year: LaSalle, Ottowa, Tonti, and Wildcat. All of French, upper and lower formations, are still not allowed for climbing.and St. Louis has never been open for our regular use. Please follow those restrictions. Nothing new added, and so far none removed from list. LaSalle has one short ice formation. Tonti can have two major ice towers, in a good winter. Wildcat usually has the one main ice falls, but a second has formed unexpectedly to the left, about once every 25 years so far. And Ottowa has one major ice formation. A second section forms just to the right, IF condiditions are just right and big ice builds.Seems this add on piece has been forming more often in the last 15 years than in earlier years. Ottowa Canyon has now been the most dependable ice canyon to get up and ready for several years now, IF there is any ice at all, that is. So several formatons can be out there if we get some water flow thorugh all the needed canyons soon , in this nice cold spell. |
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The Wyalusing area ice is in. I've posted some new approach beta for the Main Flow. The waterfalls inside the Park (Sand Cave, Pictured Rocks Cave) are in and plastic. The Main Flow and Quarry Monster are in, but not huge. Keep in mind that both these formations require you to access them with proper respect for the local property owners. |
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Whats the word with access for the Wyalusing ice? I wanted to drive up there to check it out, but don't want to drive 4 hours and not be able to climb. Also, any more specific approach / location beta? The MP description is a bit vague |
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I posted some revised beta and some GPS approach trails, this morning. For the Main Flow, walk through the woods and along the river ice west of the tracks, as far as you can. The falls as Pictured Rock (Sand Castle) is in good shape, too. |
 Lasalle Canyon, SRSP in but thin  Ottawa in fat Get at it before the warm temps this wk! |
 Tonti not touched down yet |
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Doug Hemken wrote: so sorry Doug, I was told by a reporter doing a story on ice climbing in IL and WI who called the state park and he was told(in late December) that climbing was not allowed.... does not surprise us that DNR staff would give conflicting info.... just did not want anyone to get in trouble... :( |
Doug Hemken wrote: where did you post this info? Thanks |
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Juggler, I posted approach GPS approach trails - even if you don't use GPS, look at the maps here on MP. I also edited some of the descriptions. If you are using the app, it can take a while for the changes to show up. Currently, many folks in the WDNR have a policy of talking as little about climbing as possible, for fear of liability. This gives many people the wrong impression. |
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Lots of people in Ottawa canyon at Starved Rock State Park today. It was pretty wet on the right side, and should keep growing as long as this warm up doesn't last too long. There was also freezing rain for about 1/2 of the day, so the skies are putting down more moisture to hopefully get Wildcat going. Wednesday is the only killer day this week with a low of 41 at night, then back to freezing temps for a week. Hopefully all the canyons will have ice in them as Tonti is close. |
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Pic of Tonti today... Ottawa was wet but dry left side and good |
