The 2014-2015 Colorado Ice Conditions Thread

Matt Shepard wrote:

Oh man that's purdy!!!

Hully Gully as of 6am on 11/13/2014. Both pitches are in my friends.

Pitch 1 on 11/13/2014.

Pitch 2, 11/13/2014.

Matt Knot on pitch 2.

Anyone been up to East Portal/Moffat Tunnel? Thinking of touring around to check snow conditions and wondering if bringing the tools is worth it.

Anyone know how the Flying W Couloir is looking on Pikes Peak?

Ryan Chelstowski wrote:Hully Gully as of 6am on 11/13/2014. Both pitches are in my friends.

Wow, that was fast!

jmeizis wrote: Wow, that was fast!

It has been at or below zero for consecutive nights, so it's not that surprising.

It looks like an actual, fun, somewhat challenging route in those conditions (or it could have been the camera angle) I've only seen it as a super cruiser frozen walk.

J. Ivan Locke wrote:Trying to access all you crazy Colorado ice-fiends. Get in touch if you want to commission a painting from any of your rad ice climbing photos. Please see previous post in market forum if you want to see more images of my work...

I would normally be turned off by random advertising in a conditions thread. But shit dude, that is gorgeous. You're really good at this art thing. Your paintings just moved to the top of my Christmas wish list.

The Blueprint Part Dank wrote: I would normally be turned off by random advertising in a conditions thread. But shit dude, that is gorgeous. You're really good at this art thing. Your paintings just moved to the top of my Christmas wish list.

Sorry man, I thought some people would find this obnoxious. Thing is though, this is what I enjoy painting and what better avenue than a thread that only people interested in ice climbing visit.

But noted, I won't do this again, I will limit my "ad" to the Marketplace.

Oh, and thanks...by the way!

youtube.com/watch?v=V0whm4S…

Went down to Silverton today 11/13. Things are not hugely different from the photos posted by San Juan Mtn Guides on 11/5.

South Mineral DNF is looking promising, but most pitches were just not quite there through the binos. Ice on all pitches, but thin and very chandeliered.

Snowblind was looking pretty good. Two larger, steep pitches in the chimney weren't fully formed yet, but very promising looking.

Camp Ground Col is really about the worst looking of the bunch right now. Very little ice on the first pitch. Smear in the gully left looked like it could be decent.

One of the gulleys across from Sundance is a fun adventure though. More than enough ice to cruise up. A number of 10+ ft steps just rambling in a pretty place. No rock strikes and fun to get out swinging.

Eureka-

Needs a lot more moisture. Things are forming, but there wasn't a ton of snow anywhere. Cooler temps would help, too. Upper 30s to 40 all day.

Anyone seen how Hidden Falls is looking?

Taylor Badeau wrote:Anyone know how the Flying W Couloir is looking on Pikes Peak?

I was on it on 20 OCT. Snow was a bit low, but good for climbing. The first chockstone was a bit more exposed than it is later in the season but still good fun.

I eyeballed it about a week ago from the road and it looked about the same. I'd guess the recent snow is not yet good for climbing until it warms up some.

J. Ivan Locke wrote: Sorry man, I thought some people would find this obnoxious. Thing is though, this is what I enjoy painting and what better avenue than a thread that only people interested in ice climbing visit. But noted, I won't do this again, I will limit my "ad" to the Marketplace. Oh, and thanks...by the way!

Hey, no need to qualify dude. If you're really f*ck*ng good at something, you kinda get a big pass on saying things before people see it as douchey.

Like, Richard Sherman last year with Erin Andrews. If the Gulls had lost, and he said that he was the best corner in the game? Total douche

But since he did make Crabtree look like a sorry reciever, well, anyone who talked shit looked the most jealous and way more douchey. So I wouldn't worry much dude, you are a very good artist. So you can pitch commissioned paintings in most any thread as far as I'm concerned

Christopher.D.Thomas wrote: I was on it on 20 OCT. Snow was a bit low, but good for climbing. The first chockstone was a bit more exposed than it is later in the season but still good fun. I eyeballed it about a week ago from the road and it looked about the same. I'd guess the recent snow is not yet good for climbing until it warms up some.

Bro brah. Let the wisdom of the many sages of frozen water be your judge, your tools were't staggered enough, so what do you really know?

(I feel like I need to clarify that I'm being sarcastic, you went out and found ice to climb. You are Richard Sherman in this scenario)

Christopher.D.Thomas wrote: I was on it on 20 OCT. Snow was a bit low, but good for climbing. The first chockstone was a bit more exposed than it is later in the season but still good fun. I eyeballed it about a week ago from the road and it looked about the same. I'd guess the recent snow is not yet good for climbing until it warms up some.

Thanks for the beta, much appreciated

Ryan Chelstowski wrote:Hully Gully as of 6am on 11/13/2014. Both pitches are in my friends.

I'm not sure I would call that "in" all things considered, but certainly doable. Gives it some nice spice. Didn't look like there was a good amount of water on it a couple of weeks ago. It will be interesting to see how it forms overall this year.

I was planning to check out mt lincoln this Sunday? I figured I could find a belay but would like to meet up if anyone else is heading that way.

I'm interested in joining you at Mt Lincoln on Sunday. I just PM'd you with my contact info.

Lost ice tool

We dry tooled yesterday at the rigid designator area in vail and someone in our party dropped a tool on the way back to the parking area in the snow, it's a nomic, if anyone grabs it can you PM me so I can relay their contact info

Ryan Chelstowski wrote:Hully Gully as of 6am on 11/13/2014. Both pitches are in my friends.

As someone said above. Not in for choppers but, doable. If you are top roping it for beginners(as your photo suggests) ...then you're F#(&ing it up for the rest of us my friend. Have not been there in a few days so no recent beta.