The 2012-13 Colorado Ice Conditions Thread

It's a cool time to explore Blue Mesa ice. With the reservoir being frozen over there is no need for trespassing on private land to reach certain climbs.

Chipeta: IN
Blue Balls: OUT
Blue Mesa Smear: IN (can approach from base of Chipeta)
Monster: Very Thin
Real Blue Creek: ? (could probably hike up creek from the Needle)
Gandalfs: OUT for season
Shadowfax: ? - OUT for season, most likely

Jeremy Espinoza wrote: I drove up CC last week and it isn't even starting.

wow, probably wont even happen this year then... Thank you for making the trip. saved me one.

@Vic - great stuff! I love your more 'exploratory' posts.

Now to contradict myself - how are the classics on Camp Bird Road looking?

And to contribute a little: [Vail 1-13-2013]

Here is Spiral Staircase. It was my first time up there and it seemed pretty beefy.


The Pencil also seemed to be in fat conditions, with a pretty chandelierd and hollow start.


The Rigid Designator had a very tall spray cone, so be prepared to climb more onion skin than usual. The climb itself was pretty hacked out, and the left side up high was thin compared to past years.

For metro ice, as of 1/15/12, Castlewood Canyon has a decent amount of ice in the Cherry Creek Falls area. A decent amount of WI2 ice, bits of WI3 & 4- ice. Descent in requires a short rap or downclimb. Licorice Stick is dry.

Martha is fun right now, but there is a little less ice and snow than normal.

Ben did you bring up any screws with you on Martha?

Anyone have pictures or a conditions report on the Ice around Eureka/Silverton?

Yea Silverton was good most routs have been picked out , hot temps wet climbs most routes r in and really good climbed high way to hell Saturday excellent avys still present but low danger until it snows again south facing routes r slowly deteriorating

Mooner,

I have some friends who did Whorehouse Hoses on Friday. I'll see if I can work up a few pix. Apparently with all the lowish avy danger, it was in just fine. They did 3 long pitches. Start early - the sun has been making some stuff a bit scary up there.

Cale

Does anyone have any info or pics of ice at Rifle? Marble Falls is fat right now, with very low risk of falling through....as fat as I've ever seen it. Redstone Pillar is non-existent.

haven't been out to Rifle yet but word on the street is everything is in fatty fat

November-like conditions up in RMNP

Just climbed West Gully on friday (1/18) and it was quite lean through the crux pitch making the climb feel harder than WI4 for just a moment, but very enjoyable and safe all the while! Hard snow below, and no snow above makes the climb a safe and fast endeavour at the moment!

Castlewood Canyon near the falls very nice today.

Boulder Canyon at Castle Rock looked bare from a drive-by yesterday.

I heard the same thing. Glad I missed out on the entirety of that shit show.

what are ice conditions like in Rifle State Park?

Anyone been down by Stairway Heaven/Euraka? What's it like?

It's got hills, a road, a shitter, some bushes, rock piles, rednecks, and a desert fox.

"H" wrote:Anyone been down by Stairway Heaven/Euraka? What's it like?

H, Check your email

Anyone been up hidden falls (rmnp) or silver plume?

Thanks,

Seth