Devil's Lake Winter Climbing

Shhhhh! No one climbs at the lake in the winter. Wait till weekends in June, July and August when there are dozens of ropes to climb on.

Got on some ice today at Governor Dodge... didn't have to work today!

Hopefully the weather we had today will stay until, or arrive again, on Sunday!

If anybody's lookin' to climb at Balanced Rock on Sunday... I will surely be there. Stop by!

-Andy

Andy Hansen wrote: "is there anything I should consider or worry about in terms of safety? Anything out of the ordinary besides the cold?"

BEWARE OF THE JACKNESS MONSTER !!!!!!
Back in the day, we used to ward him off with the large bottle of Uncle Phil (Phillips Blackberry Brandy)

Tom Hanson wrote:Andy Hansen wrote: "is there anything I should consider or worry about in terms of safety? Anything out of the ordinary besides the cold?" BEWARE OF THE JACKNESS MONSTER !!!!!! Back in the day, we used to ward him off with the large bottle of Uncle Phil (Phillips Blackberry Brandy)

Winter climbing is awesome. Today was great despite little to no sunshine all day. The temps were mid 30's all day and had some spectators throughout the afternoon. We were up so early on the rock that a Park Ranger pulled us over on the way out wondering if we had camped up on the bluff.

Andy Hansen wrote:Winter climbing is awesome. Today was great despite little to no sunshine all day. The temps were mid 30's all day and had some spectators throughout the afternoon. We were up so early on the rock that a Park Ranger pulled us over on the way out wondering if we had camped up on the bluff.

Jay Knower wrote: Glad to hear you had a good time. Where in the park did you go?

Every time I got to DL I have a bad experience with those Rangers. Great to hear they kept up their reputation.

Over 15+ years of climbing at The Lake I can not think of a single "bad experience" I have had with the rangers.....in fact i can not think of a time I saw them out at the bluff.

This up comming weekend will be good for climbing there too.... Suppose to be 30-35 and sunny!

This upcoming weekend will be nearing the 40's... and it was in the 40's this weekend in northern Wisconsin so I'm definitely heading to the lake for sure Sunday.

Is anybody willing to go out Saturday? I want to follow some leads up to 10+

I have a good amount of gear- just need some more practice placing and such to get comfortable trad'ing.

Ah, the DL Rangers...I have been hassled by those guys a few times, I swear it was nothing I have ever done to warrant there approach.....

True, never at the bluff though, always in the campground or the parking lots.

Busted at DL

Racking out at 8pm and it was still somewhat light outand the sun was setting. Not even quite time yet. They were walking around... And said we were too nosiy and to put our gear way..

Busted one of the guys for under age drinking he was 20 and the cop called his parents and said that he was wasted and had 5-6 beers... He only had one! He got a underage drinking ticket. The other two guys got that were 21 got tickets for contribution to minors. They were just sitting around the fire quitly. Lucky i went to the grocery store for more beer.

Busted for arriving late and putting up a tent at 11pm... The sign said late arrivals can setup tents in that area. They kicked us out and almost gave us $500 in fines. Ended up going accross the street to camp at the mom and pop place. And we put money up on the post as well.

Approched multiple times for id checks when were quite and hanging around the campfire having a beer.

Yeah only had trouble in the campground.

I am headed to the lake (maybe) sunday the 7th and Monday the 8th for sure.

I need a partner. Interested in mellow trad leads (5.7-5.9) and a bit of harder top roping

hit me up if you are in to it. Ill be camping also, so if anyone is local and wants to offer a couch in the cold i would love you... but i can handle the cold too.

-t

I'll be there Sunday. No Monday. 2 exams instead. I'll PM you.

Likely heading up to East Bluff East Rampart. Be there at 11:00 at the latest. Going to TR The End and some harder stuff with a bunch of people from Hoofer Mountaineering. Getting ready for harder sends at the Red, so TR beyond our lead max. Someone is getting on Flatus. Anyone want to meet up? Maybe get some trad leads in?

Coming home for the next week 1/22-1/26 and was going to bring a rope and rap some routes I want to get on this summer. After reading this thread, I would be more than happy to get lunch for a climbing partner and get numb for an afternoon or two. 

Please comment if you are available and up for catching some chills in the Boo. 

Chad Miller wrote: So what you're saying Burt is you need it to be sunny for a few hours to warm up the rock so it's toasty warm but not warm enough to melt the ice and snow on the rock. :) Let's recap: Must be sunny Must not be windy Must not be wet Must not be snowing Yeah that’s been happening a lot this winter. :P

Chad have you made it back on the stone ?