Ice Climbing in NC this winter?

Any fellow Northern Cackilackians into ice climbing this winter?

I've did a couple pitches of basic ice climbing last year and wanted to get more into it. Is anyone in North Carolina planning on hitting up some of the ice areas when the weather gets colder?

I'm out in Raleigh and would love to do a weekend trip to hit up some of the alpine climbs in the blue ridge area or where ever else ice may be. I've heard rumors that there is ice climbing in NC but haven't really been to any spots since I've been living here.

I have the usual rock gear necessary but don't have a tone of ice gear - all I do have are couple pairs of semi-auto crampons and an alpine style ice ax (not really a tool but works for steep but not vertical snow and ice). I have stiff mountaineering boot that, although not dedicated ice boots, might work for easier grade ice and mixed routes.

If anyone is looking for a ice partner, maybe has an extra set of tools I could borrow and doesn't mind showing me the ropes on some basic mixed or ice climbs drop me a line and maybe we can plan something out in January or February if the weather allows.

Cheers!

I'm looking into hopefully getting on some ice this year as well in NC. I've been through a handful of ice courses since this past summer, however I wouldn't be quite comfortable leading as I've only gotten in around 20 total pitches on ice. I'm out in the Asheville area for school, and I personally know several individuals who are into the ice scene here in NC. I've been eyeing some of those alpine routes in the Blacks for sometime now, however I'm doubtful the conditions will be accommodating this year. Let's hope for the best!

I'm also in Raleigh and would love to get on any ice whatsoever. Have all the necessary gear, would just need to carpool.

calebmmallory wrote: I've been eyeing some of those alpine routes in the Blacks for sometime now, however I'm doubtful the conditions will be accommodating this year. Let's hope for the best!

Don't give up yet. We have more than half the season left. If anything comes in in NC, the Black Mountain lines will. The weather has finally turned normal, and looking out to about Jan 11, it's starting to look promising. Fingers crossed: weather.com/weather/tenday/…

I live right at the base of these routes, so I'll post up when they get climbed

Travis Senor wrote:I'm also in Raleigh and would love to get on any ice whatsoever. Have all the necessary gear, would just need to carpool.

Excellent - lets make it happen.

pm'd for more info.

I've been in NC for a few years now and the last couple winters have dumped some decent storms on us in late January to February. Hopefully by then we'll have some ice and snow build up in the black mountains.

I have a truck we can take out to Ashville.

Brian & Caleb - wee stay in touch and plan to meet up when we get there. Right now I don't have any weekend travel plans so if the conditions are right I'm flexible to get out there on whatever weekend

I'm also interested in this and currently live in Durham. Trying to get some gear together now, would love to share a carpool to the mountains for some ice climbing.

Thought I would respond here instead of starting a new thread. I am looking for partners to ice climb. The conditions look good this week, at least through tomorrow (as per latest updates on the SEICE facebook page). Anyone interested in getting out tomorrow, before things start warming up again? I have all the gear. If we'd only by TR-ing, then you can use my tools too.
Let me know. Thanks!

I'm sitting at the base of crescent now. Here's the base:

Crescent

Here's Brown's:

Browns base

I would say they need at least another day or two of cold to not need orange floaties. I don't think we'll get it this week

I hear you Brian, thanks for the heads up.

At least the weather has gotten colder - it's about time after having Christmas in the 70's with 70% humidity.

Planning to head out tomorrow (Wednesday) either to Winding Stair or Hwy 215. Looking for a partner. Get in touch if interested. Thanks!

rohans wrote:Planning to head out tomorrow (Wednesday) either to Winding Stair or Hwy 215. Looking for a partner. Get in touch if interested. Thanks!

I'm afraid I can only do Sundays and Mondays due to my work schedule.

If I was free tomorrow I would be down to go but let me know if you make any plans for getting out on a Sunday or Monday, I can leave Saturday night in order to have an early day on Sunday.

I just moved to NC, my wife and I are thinking of heading west this weekend. We have kit and I'm happy leading up to WI3, but we have a kiddo that's a little too young to stay out all day. If anyone else out there has kids and wants to rotate climbing and wrangling kids we'd be stoked to have some partners.

Today was the last ice, won't be any this weekend. It was 50 deg at whitesides and 1/2 rain forecast for tomorrow. Perhaps early/mid week if it doesn't rain too much. Looking at Ray's weather for the Linville area looks much more promising

If conditions are in, does anyone want to get on some Ice Monday? I'm in the boone area until Monday evening and would love to get out. I've got everything we'd need including screws with me except for a rope. Text me at 864-six three zero-5348 if you want to get out!

wpfister wrote:If conditions are in, does anyone want to get on some Ice Monday? I'm in the boone area until Monday evening and would love to get out. I've got everything we'd need including screws with me except for a rope. Text me at 864-six three zero-5348 if you want to get out!

Yeah I'm down, I was just looking at the forecast looks like some precip on Sunday, if that freezes some ice for Monday morning I'm totally up for being there.

Text message sent.

I might be able to get a rope Stay tuned.

Looks like the conditions were a bit too good this weekend with roads being pretty much impassable. Assuming the precip doesn't melt during the week anyone interested in next weekend? I'm free from sat, sun, and mond.

I'm in Charlotte, and I come from the Northeast. I'm comfortable leading 3's and was hoping to get into 4's this season.... Mild winter killed that. TR 4's no problem.

Just like everyone here, I'm trying to get an idea on when I can get some time on ice. I've got rope and screws, just need someone to climb with and ice!

Looking at possibly checking out whitesides thursday morning. Went a couple weeks ago after three days of freezing temps and the practice slabs were at least in.

Brian, I bet Celo is fat now

I kind of forgot about this thread. A week and a half ago had the best conditions on Celo I've ever seen. Did Crescent several times. That Thursday user Munkeybog and I knocked out Y-gully, Crescent, and Left Wishbone for a long day. Great conditions.

Conditions right now are mediocre, but the flows are definitely starting to fill in since the crazy rain last week. They are not now fat, but the next 10 days are forecast to be the coldest of the year.

tools

snow

crescent

crescent 2

approach

LWB

LWB 2

LWB 3

Is anyone free thursday?