WA Ice routes

Hey guys, first year ice climbing and was going to try to do some practice at the Coleman Seracs but when i was going to head up, that same day the road washed out. Does anyone have any reccomondations for a new ice climber for some begainer lines or short approaches? (Rather the approaches be shorter so more time to climb but im down for anything!) Also does anyone know where the Nordic Wall ice route is off of highway 2 east of Stevens Pass? I found a old ice guide book and it says to park at the nordic center and walk a mile up (back towards stevens) on the side of the highway and the line is right there. Ive looked everytime at around that mile post and i can never seem to see where a ice line would form. Thanks in advanced!

A V wrote:

Do you have the ability to get to Bozeman right now? Ice is starting to pop off at Hyalite. WA ice is typically high objective hazard, long approach time, iffy conditions, and low average pay off - not the most conducive to knocking out a bunch of pitches. There are some fantastic routes out in WA/OR but generally not very beginner friendly. Glacier ice is also mostly buried at this point.

Im headed to MT in Febuary, but if work allows it i was going to try to book a flight to Bozeman! Where should i look for to find info on routes/the area

You can search for ice routes in an area by grade. Here are all the ice routes listed on MP for the West-Central Cascades... 

https://www.mountainproject.com/route-finder?selectedIds=108471374&type=ice&diffMinrock=1800&diffMinboulder=20350&diffMinaid=70000&diffMinice=30000&diffMinmixed=50000&diffMaxrock=2200&diffMaxboulder=20450&diffMaxaid=75260&diffMaxice=38500&diffMaxmixed=60000&is_trad_climb=1&is_sport_climb=1&is_top_rope=1&stars=0&pitches=0&sort1=area&sort2=rating 

Also, keep an eye out for trip reports and conditions threads on the forum here as well as at this thread on cc.com ... 

https://cascadeclimbers.com/forum/topic/104248-20212022-orwa-ice-conditions/ 

Wa ice sucks. Go to Banff

Michal wrote:

Wa ice sucks. Go to Banff

Mostly agree, but for a beginner who is young and probably doesn't have a career yet that affords them the luxury of a weekend flight to Calgary... when ice is in here it is pretty good, certainly good enough to learn the basics before bigger trips. 

https://www.mountainproject.com/v/117973219

Franklin Falls is a great local spot to set up some top ropes from the trees! A longer static rope is useful for set up, but anchors and protection bolts have recently been added.

Comes in very sporadically and is extremely crowded when it even comes close.

Like others said keep eyes on forums. You can find a few places to figure out the basics like Sam said. Trust me I pray for dry COLD years with no objective hazards just like all other wa ice climbers. But man it had not happened real well since 2015! There is "ice" then there is "ICE!" you'll know what I mean someday.

Looks like this is your year, Ryan. Get some!