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Popsicle

WI5, Trad, Ice, 110 ft (33 m),  Avg: 3.4 from 40 votes
FA: unknown to me
Colorado > CO Ice & Mixed > Ouray (Ice/Mixed) > Uncompahgre Gor… > Lower Bridge to Scott…

Description

A fun, prominent pillar of ice on the arĂȘte. Vertical, quality, sustained. Easier if chopped out. Find this climb downstream from the lower bridge of the Ouray Ice Park. It is easily viewed from the metal viewing platform below the bridge on the E side of the canyon. It lies slightly upstream from a double-trunked, large tree (juniper?) and just uphill from a small tree/bush (juniper?). It can form into 2 pillars or a single pillar depending on the year.

From the bottom of the canyon, find this first arĂȘte downstream from the lower bridge of the Ice Park with a pillar of ice. Likely, it will be chopped out due to it's popularity. Ascend moderate ice to a great ledge/rest just to the left of the upper pillar. Rest, then fire up vertical ice with a midheight awkward bulge to the top. More mentally intimidating than physically challenging. Steep-pick-tools can make this more of a cruise. Enjoy.

Protection

Screws/slings.

Toprope Protection

Long slings to reach the big juniper tree and short slings to reach the shorter tree/bush

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

Jim Hutchinson, owner operator of Ourayle house finishing up Popcicle.
[Hide Photo] Jim Hutchinson, owner operator of Ourayle house finishing up Popcicle.
Amanda almost to the top.
[Hide Photo] Amanda almost to the top.
Popsicle. 12/2013.
[Hide Photo] Popsicle. 12/2013.
Matt climbs Popsicle, Ouray Ice Park.
[Hide Photo] Matt climbs Popsicle, Ouray Ice Park.
Stanley on Popsicle (at center), Dec., 2004.
[Hide Photo] Stanley on Popsicle (at center), Dec., 2004.
Taking a lap on the Popsicle, Feb., 2010.
[Hide Photo] Taking a lap on the Popsicle, Feb., 2010.
Chopping popsicles.
[Hide Photo] Chopping popsicles.
The cave start of the mixed start to Popsicle.
[Hide Photo] The cave start of the mixed start to Popsicle.
Looking down Popcicle. Bringing Jim (Hutch) Hutchinson up.
[Hide Photo] Looking down Popcicle. Bringing Jim (Hutch) Hutchinson up.
Popsicle start.
[Hide Photo] Popsicle start.
Further on up the rope.
[Hide Photo] Further on up the rope.
An interesting mixed start to Popsicle.
[Hide Photo] An interesting mixed start to Popsicle.

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

Mark Cushman
Cumming, GA