Blue Moon  WI2

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Type:  Trad, Ice, 400 feet Consensus:  WI2 [details] FA:  Unknown Season:  Winter Submitted By:  Joe Brannan on Feb 11, 2011 You & This Route  |  Other Opinions (1) Your todo list: Your stars: Your rating: -none- [change] Your ticklist: [add new tick]

BETA PHOTO: The mixed first step (M2-3, WI2) right off the roa...

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Description 

An afterthought for most climbers, when 'in' this route is better than Coors Ultra Light, which isn't saying much. I found it to be a fun easy romp on a moonlit night.

On 2-9-11 six easy steps of ice were in. The first is 4 meters of mixed WI2 M2 up a left-facing corner. After a short shelf, a wide WI2- flow forms between rock walls. Next, after maybe 100 feet of gully, the best ice on the route is found which is 4 meters of WI2 (right side forms a bit of a curtain). The next step is another 100 feet or so and wraps around a fir tree (WI2, 3 meters). Two more small WI2- steps finish the climb.

Location 

This stepped flow is approximately 2500 feet past the first tunnel on the north side as you drive west from Golden up the canyon (check out the google map location which is spot on). It’s a drainage through a low angle cliff band which starts right off the road. After several days of near 0 degree temps and snow this can form several WI2 steps. A good after work solo outing when it's in.

Protection 

Solo material? Downclimbing the route is pretty reasonable considering the difficulty. Make your own call. V-threads are possible in pools above each step, or slung boulders?

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BETA PHOTO: Second step (WI2-, 2-9-11). Axe in photo for scale...	BETA PHOTO: The third step (WI2, 2-9-11). Axe in photo for sca...	BETA PHOTO: The fouth step (WI2, 2-9-11). Axe in photo for sca...
BETA PHOTO: Second to last step (WI2-, 2-9-11). Axe in photo f...