The 2014-2015 Colorado Ice Conditions Thread

Does anyone know of any ice climbing near Winter Park in Grand County? I know of Mt Craig by Grand Lake in RMNP and have climbed the ice at Lincoln, 10 Mile, Vail, and Silverplume. Any local knowledge will be helpful since I will be there for a week over Christmas.

Mike Walley wrote:Does anyone know of any ice climbing near Winter Park in Grand County? I know of Mt Craig by Grand Lake in RMNP and have climbed the ice at Lincoln, 10 Mile, Vail, and Silverplume. Any local knowledge will be helpful since I will be there for a week over Christmas.

Mike,

Hit me up for details. I also sent you a PM.

Josh

The Deep Freeze pillar is currently touching down but rapidly sublimating out. Precarious steep climbing will take you to the fixed wire/pin. Above here the the pillar becomes a hollowed out eggshell soda straw. Not wanting to shatter the window/pillar we bailed here. Started the route with the right hand crack. Fully engaged dry tooling, see route comments for more info. Short approach, awesome location, fantastic alpine route.

Nice work there Cap, the mixed section sounds full on

Also wondering about Martha/Longs peak Cirque. Dreamweaver? Darkstar? How's it been up there the past couple days?

Is it super warm up in the RMNP, like SW Colorado? It's been in the 50's and 60's for weeks down here, Ice Park people are starting to get worried.

is this still in?

Ryan Jennings wrote:The Redstone pillar is in, that's about it. Rifle looks pretty good but warm temps could change that.

coop wrote:is this still in?

Its a bit wet, and the top is starting to detach. Makes a interesting top out. The approach is so horrible.

Taylor Badeau wrote:Anyone know if Martha would go this weekend?

Went up it today to escape the howling wind and hopefully find some sun. Expect somewhat Scottish style climbing with loose snow over the rock steps. The snow was better than expected for the bottom half, ankle deep bootpack or so. The last half ranged from okay to loose and sugary. Good news though, there's steps all the way now so it shouldn't be so bad!

No ice to be seen except for the last step, fun stemming with a few good sticks. The rest of the steps are dry rock and turf, with the first step probably the crux now, a water polished slot/chimney that is a little awkward.

Overall, it was nowhere near as fun as when good snow and ice are present, but a surprisingly decent outing nonetheless. Be aware of rockfall as nothing in the gully is quite glued together yet.

Hi All!

I left.. lost.. a tool at Lincoln Falls Thursday Dec 4. and I had no luck on my search for it.

If anyone's up there and does see a Cassin X-Dream about in the snow and bushes and boulders below the bowling alley area along the approach path I'd be forever grateful if it was returned!

Thank You!

Anyone been on flattop recently? Ptarmigan fingers?

Hosiers Highway - WI5 second pitch. 12/5/14

Direct North Face - 12/6/14 The road is still OK for 4WD vehicles.

Swan wrote:Anyone been on flattop recently? Ptarmigan fingers?

I climbed the eastern most "finger" today. Perfect snow for about 1000'. Grace Falls looks fat from afar. Eli might know more about the other "fingers" in the area.

The Fang, or what's left of it first thing in the morning 12-7-14. We were standing about 25 feet away to the side on the trail and watched it crack and drop like the twin towers. Rad!!!

Beach like temps are great for the dry tool crowd, but wreaking havoc on the ice.

Paul Gagner wrote:The Fang, or what's left of it first thing in the morning 12-7-14. We were standing about 25 feet away to the side on the trail and watched it crack and drop like the twin towers. Rad!!! Beach like temps are great for the dry tool crowd, but wreaking havoc on the ice.

So the Fang's demise was an inside job eh? Was the pillar clandestinely covered with magical thermite paint?

The Blueprint Part Dank wrote: So the Fang's demise was an inside job eh? Was the pillar clandestinely covered with magical thermite paint?

Blueprint! We were at Vail all day yesterday, did you make it out for some pitches?

J

we climbed most of the easternmost Ptarmigan on Sunday. We didn't top out for a few reasons. We were concerned about windloading at the very top, you could see the snow swirling up there.

up to that point it was very nice. Down low before entering the couloir the steps sunk about 6 inches, the rest of the climb was hardpack. Most of the time you didn't get the ball of your foot into the snow but you got your toes. Made for great climbing, but not so great skiing.

Grace falls was fat on Saturday. We also saw people on NE face of notchtop. I've never climbed it so I don't know if it was in good condition or not...I'd be excited to hear about it though!

Anyone know how the Tellirude area is looking?