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Shank Stew

WI3+, Ice, Alpine, 300 ft (91 m), 5 pitches,  Avg: 3 from 3 votes
FA: Todd Cozzens, Jim Montgomery, Jeff Radick 1990/91 season
Wyoming > Cody > S Fork Shoshone… > 2. N Facing/S Side > 3. Flying H Ranch

Description

For intermediates and beginners looking follow on a multipitch route with numerous bulges and two good pitches of ice, Shank Stew offers a great diversion from more crowded classics.  

The first pitch is a long wide flow with easier or harder variations.  After this walk a couple hundred feet to pitch 2.  This is a shorter steep(ish) section to a longer moderate section of skinny ice in a slot.  After this coil the ropes and walk up the creek bed for 20-30min.  At a major junction in the drainage look up and right and you can see pitch 3.  There are actually 3 pitches of ice beyond the junction with a little bit of walking between each of them.  Pitches 1 and 3 are the best pitches of the route.

Location

Located in the far back of a canyon up Sheepeater Creek, considered one of the more wild/rugged drainages on the south side of the valley. Follow the South Fork trail near the end of Flying H Ranch to a large open drainage - Sheepeater Creek. Hike up the creek over small pitches of ice to the main first pitch. 

Protection

Standard rack of ice screws.

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

The beginning steeper section of Pitch 2 of Shank Stew.
[Hide Photo] The beginning steeper section of Pitch 2 of Shank Stew.
Hiking up the drainage with Pitch 5 above.
[Hide Photo] Hiking up the drainage with Pitch 5 above.
Pitch 4 of Shank Stew.
[Hide Photo] Pitch 4 of Shank Stew.
Pitch 3, WI3.
[Hide Photo] Pitch 3, WI3.
First pitch in fat conditions.  Easy on the left and harder on the right.
[Hide Photo] First pitch in fat conditions. Easy on the left and harder on the right.
Lean year/early season 1st pitch...gets much fatter by early Spring.
[Hide Photo] Lean year/early season 1st pitch...gets much fatter by early Spring.