Toproping Ice in Colorado?

A friend and I are relatively new to ice climbing and want to get in a day this weekend.

Any recommendations? Toprope only, WI2 to WI4, ideally along the I-70 corridor.

Does anyone know why there is no option to select "top rope" under the search for routes option on here?

If I recall, the Schoolhouse at Vail has TRable routes. Also, Chalk Creek, north of Leadville, can be popular if it's in. Check with Sawatch Backcountry. Othewise, it's worth making the drive to the Ouray Ice Park. If you don't have the gear, they rent anything conceivably ice climbing oriented at Ouray Mtn Sports.

Well since there aren't a ton of routes along I-70 (except Vail), just look at those and see what the anchor situation is. Oh and Officer's Gultch is avy terrain. Silverplume is probably your best bet.

Just a note since you guys are new. TR and ice can be alot of fun, however please be considerate in areas where folks might be leading a climb. Be mindful of throwing ropes down on climbers leading, and although this is more of an opinion, don't just walk around and bogart the anchors especially if someone is putting in work.

Easily top roped ice is often a recipe for danger as these are high traffic areas with alot of novices. Please be courteous to those who might already be on the climb. Not trying to be preachy, but we've had too may ropes and ice thrown down on us by novices top roping ice. It's not a pleasant experience and downright dangerous. Most of this occured in areas that people walked around to easily accesible anchors, without alot of consideration or experience. It is NOT the same as TRing a rock climb. Watch out walking around on top of the cliffs as any ice etc you knock down will most likely funnel onto climbers below.

Be careful and have fun!

Some good areas that consistently form are:

Lincoln Falls
Silverplume
Clear Creek Canyon
Vail - but expect to lead

For what it is worth:
Leaders have right of way when already on the climb. If you encounter any parties ahead of you that plan to lead, please defer to them when Top Roping.

There is precious little ice in the Front Range in comparison to the number of ice climbers. Please be respectful when climbing above other parties, call rope before you throw and ice when you knock it down.

Have fun and be safe.

Thanks for the advice guys. I understand ice climbers are pretty protective of their medium and I'm not a jackass about throwing ropes or traipsing around and being a dumbass.

Ouray was our goal and I had a group set but in the end it just didn't work out and its way too far for a single day of climbing.

If anyone has any other ideas, let me know. Thanks

Derek

Silverplume is your most accessible, easy, TRable are w/ easy parking. Can get a wee bit crowded at times and sunbaked if the day is hot, but a nice place to practice.

mountainproject.com/v/color…

Dare I mention Hidden Falls in RMNP? Last report sounded like little additional damage could be done (I.e. Already TR'd to death). Grace Falls in RMNP can also be TR'ed with some effort and adventure. Moffat Tunnel ice (on MP). Not exactly I-70 but Front Range. Also in theory you could use the fixed line between the Designator and Spiral Stairs to set up a TR for Spiral, The Pencil or The Eraser, but lots of people lead SS (and DON'T TR the Dez). Similarly, there Is a pretty easy ice scramble and maybe even a walk-around for Firehouse Left in Vail IIRC. Weekends aren't the best time to do any of this in Vail however. Clear Creek ice should be back in after tomorrow's temps.

Kevin Craig wrote:Dare I mention Hidden Falls in RMNP?

This is one of those dangerous spots for sure. Last time I was up there I think there was 14 people at the flow at one particular time. We ended up leaving due to the danger factor. One guy actually was rapping down over my head and another guy leading underneath me while I was climbing.

I called down to be lowered, untied and proceeded to leave.

Why I-70, when you live in Larkspur??? Cheyenne Canon seems to be your best bet in my mind. I'm up there almost daily. Hit me up, and I will help ya out. If you can swing a weekday it's best. The weekends are an absolute effin circus with all the reasons mentioned by Scott. Plus, why the hell would you want to deal with I-70 on a weekend during peak skiing season.

England wrote:Why I-70, when you live in Larkspur??? Cheyenne Canon seems to be your best bet in my mind. I'm up there almost daily. Hit me up, and I will help ya out. If you can swing a weekday it's best. The weekends are an absolute effin circus with all the reasons mentioned by Scott. Plus, why the hell would you want to deal with I-70 on a weekend during peak skiing season.

Because the friend I'm climbing with lives in Fort Collins and we are going climbing on Friday, snowboarding on Saturday and staying the night in between in Breck. N Cheyenne is def out of the way. Thanks though.

Wehling wrote: Because the friend I'm climbing with lives in Fort Collins and we are going climbing on Friday, snowboarding on Saturday and staying the night in between in Breck. N Cheyenne is def out of the way. Thanks though.

Probably Mt. Lincoln then. Hike around the right side and set up a TR off the huge boulder at the top of the main gully. There are bolts on both sides of the boulder. Careful of snow conditions.

Just keep on boarding......at least the ski resorts can handle the crowds.....

But yea Mt. Lincoln/Lincoln Falls.........could be your best bet, and most likely will not be as crowded as Vail......

Unfortunately in Colorado on the weekends, you will see Top Ropes set up on most climbs.....