Oak Creek Falls  WI5

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Type:  Ice, 1 pitch, 140 feet, Grade III Consensus:  WI5 [details] FA:  ? Submitted By:  Douglas Lossner on Feb 18, 2010 You & This Route  |  Other Opinions (1) Your todo list: Your stars: Your rating: -none- [change] Your ticklist: [add new tick]

Oak Creek Falls as seen through a pair of binocula...

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Description 

There are two separate pillars with a big, snow covered ledge in between. Each pillar is about 60 to 70 feet long. It could be led in one pitch or you might want to turn it into a separate pitch for each pillar. Since you enter from the top, two 70 meter ropes would be needed to rappel safely from an anchor tree. Note: A bottom up entry is possible but would be very difficult due to deep steep snow in the main Oak Creek drainage. There is actually a tier above the top pillar that you must rappel over, the reason for the 70s. The bottom pillar was the most difficult having overhanging icicles. And on sunny days both will get direct sunlight making pro marginal to dangerous. Top pillar was easy soft ice but could be difficult if conditions got really cold.

Location 

Approach is 1.25 hours to 2.5 hours depending on gear load and snow conditions. Hike up the old Twin Peaks trail located on the north side of Oak Creek Drainage. Stay on trail till the 8,400 ft. level then head south to the rim of Oak Creek Darainage. Spotting climbs can be difficult due to very steep terrain.

Protection 

Screws, V-threads, big trees at the top to anchor on. No fixed anchors needed for top entry.

Photos of Oak Creek Falls Slideshow

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What you see without binoculars.	Steve Berwanger looking over the top pillar.	Bottom pillar.
Looking up the top tier from the top of the top pi...	Steve Berwanger getting ready to rappel down the b...