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Ice Climbing in the Midwest

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Juggler Jones · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Sep 2009 · Points: 1,185
Woodchuck ATC · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Nov 2007 · Points: 3,280

Working on a new improved, better warming hut right next to the ice, with a view of the climbs in action. Plans for an ice fest this winter are in the works...do watch the facebook link for updates when Juggler gets them up and ready. Our first cold 20's temps coming up this weekend.....so you never know when it will get to be ice time.

the window view! Inside plastic wind and weather proof layers to come soon.

Woodchuck ATC · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Nov 2007 · Points: 3,280

We are up and ready,,had ice to climb the last few days, now a meltdown, but hope to be up again in a week or so when cold returns. First ice pics posted, and our new indoor warming hut is now fully operational. Be ready for Xmas time climbs by 18th or so we hope.

the warming hut

night ice climb

Juggler Jones · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Sep 2009 · Points: 1,185

New ice

New ice

Woodchuck ATC · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Nov 2007 · Points: 3,280

Ready for single digits and Thursday night outing!!!

Juggler Jones · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Sep 2009 · Points: 1,185
Woodchuck ATC wrote:Ready for single digits and Thursday night outing!!!
You bet we are!
Woodchuck ATC · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Nov 2007 · Points: 3,280

Get there by 7PM folks, while it's still 'warm' out( teens). Well lit up ice ,but headlamps still come in handy, great propane heated warming hut with couches and snacks. BYOB if needed.

Woodchuck ATC · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Nov 2007 · Points: 3,280

wow...no where as cold as expected,,,no wind,,great night....too bad we had a small turnout. Next outing is on full moon 17th Tuesday next week...be there!!!!

ready to climb

great ice tonight!!

Woodchuck ATC · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Nov 2007 · Points: 3,280

wow...no where as cold as expected,,,no wind,,great night....too bad we had a small turnout. Next outing is on full moon 17th Tuesday next week...be there!!!!

ready to climb

great ice tonight!!

Juggler Jones · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Sep 2009 · Points: 1,185
Woodchuck ATC · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Nov 2007 · Points: 3,280

too dark to see much, guess the no flash tries didn't work out too well this time.

Juggler Jones · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Sep 2009 · Points: 1,185
The group for Full moon

Full Moon climb
Ryan Nevius · · Perchtoldsdorf, AT · Joined Dec 2010 · Points: 1,837

I think this is a great thing the two of you are doing...but am I the only one who feels that these posts (that have all-caps titles and are repeatedly bumped for free advertising by the same two people) are a bit spammy? As if one wasn't enough...now we have two.

Who knows; maybe I'm just envious and wish I had something like that near me...

Woodchuck ATC · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Nov 2007 · Points: 3,280

Been trying to get him not to use the all caps titles for years./;-(, but he insists, even thouth on the internet it's like having someone Screaming in your face for importance. I don't like it. Now myself, I enjoy sharing the progress on the place and getting ice interest going around here.
I've submitted written material, articles on rock and ice climbing, had interviews done and run in several local newspapers over the last 40 plus years (yeah, long before the internet), and I got NO response for climber interest from those articles in this UN-climber friendly part of the suburbs. Zip. Not finding any partners or even curious people throughout the 70,s 80's, 90's until a local gym finally got built. Had to drive up to Devils Lake to search out climbers back then,(see the DLFA movie from Kickstarter for some history).
Now at least there is some response, and have generated interest in adventure sports via internet posts about ice and rock. Things have changed finally for the positive. New climbing partners for outdoor rock and ice trips have resulted. It's nice to not only be probably the oldest climber in the south suburbs of Chicago, but to finally find active new climbers who have the same urge to get out there. Took 30 some years to kick some life into this area, going to enjoy whoever chooses to come out and try the ice we have here. Local state park has run dry of water for most of last 4 ice seasons, so desperate ice climbers are doing what they need to exist and proud of the efforts to get 'er done.

Doug Hemken · · Madison, WI · Joined Oct 2004 · Points: 13,668

To those of us who are IN the midwest, it's just great to see a couple of guys so stoked!

Woodchuck ATC · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Nov 2007 · Points: 3,280
Doug Hemken wrote:To those of us who are IN the midwest, it's just great to see a couple of guys so stoked!
Cuz we're so stoked, I think that's why he uses all caps. Get by here and try out the ice, Doug. Heavy rain last night and today...do hope the ice makes it through so it can be used later Sat and Sunday before holidays take up all our free climbing time.
Juggler Jones · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Sep 2009 · Points: 1,185
Woodchuck ATC · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Nov 2007 · Points: 3,280

Saw part of vid,,then the Hulu' pop ads kept taking over the screen. Ice looks like SRSP quality, without the state park hassles to go with it. Looks like a fun climb for a winter starter trip.

sarcasm · · Unknown Hometown · Joined May 2010 · Points: 445

Can you lead on that silo?

Woodchuck ATC · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Nov 2007 · Points: 3,280

Last winter we did a top rope protected first screw lead,,that's all. the top is always very thin near the sprayers and there is usually 'iffy ice along the way, that a fall could either pull a screw or just bust off a huge chunk of column. If it stays thicker than 2 ft. all the way this season, it probably could be done. We had 5 meltouts and rebuilds last season. This is our best, earliest ice start yet in 3 years. It's held up pretty well through almost 72 hours of rain and above freezing temps this weekend.

Juggler Jones · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Sep 2009 · Points: 1,185
drmartindell wrote:Can you lead on that silo?
Yes, we are planning on it
Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Midwest
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