Ice Climbing Caribou Creek, Alaska 11/23/07

Prezwoodz

Well I finally got out on some ice and it was on the Ol' Bday so it was a pretty great mornin! Chugach Jed and I left town early in the morning and headed out to Caribou Creek where we had heard there was some ice. We rapped into the climb I think its called Kids in the Corner? and we rapped down three pitches. We would later hear there were actually 6....Doh! Oh well we did some laps on the lower portion and climbed the next few sections which were pretty thin, one section included a shower. Great Day!

Jed flakes the rope for the first rappel


Jed Rapping down pitch 1.


Coming down Pitch 2. This was the section with thin ice higher up. Easy enough to go around it though.


And the last little portion we rapped down. We would have kept going if we knew there was more to the route! Doh! Next time.


Jed contemplates the little portion.


Coming over the first buldge


Jed deciding the direction (he chose the right way...I chose the harder / wrong way!)


Swinging away


This was the hardest part of the climb for me. I peeled back a bit and almost fell.


Okay on the way back we decided we had enough light to check out this Snotsickle talked about on Pinochle road. Well I gotta admit we looked all over and drove up both directions of this road and didn't see anything! We did see this ice section on the mountain across the valley though and wondered if it was any good. It was the only ice we could see around! (Upper left gully)


We were also both curious about this mountain. Its directly above Pinochle road and has a neat summit section to it.


All and all it was a great birthday when you get to climb and in good company!

schmoo

Happy belated birthday, Kelsey!

Good to see you're still getting out and about. I can't decide if I think ice is more appealing or more dangerous to climb. I suppose it's just different.

Snotsickle?

Prezwoodz

schmoo wrote:

Happy belated birthday, Kelsey!

Good to see you're still getting out and about. I can't decide if I think ice is more appealing or more dangerous to climb. I suppose it's just different.

Snotsickle?

Thanks Schmoo! Its been tuff getting out with all the work and school. But I am super excited because I bought a one way ticket to Mexico hehe. I'll make my way back a few months after I go im sure but getting home is going to be interesting!! I leave Dec. 27th!

As far as climbing ice goes I find it easier for the most part and actually not as scary as climbing rock. Its great when its warm too!

Oh and a snotsickle is a piece of ice hanging down with the center not connected to the wall.

schmoo

:oogle

Of course my first thought is "Kelsey's nuts!" but it's closely followed by "Yay more awesome Journey fodder."

Mmm, well thank you for defining the term "snotsickle." Good timing as I've just come down with a bout of cold.

Prezwoodz

schmoo wrote:

:oogle

Of course my first thought is "Kelsey's nuts!" but it's closely followed by "Yay more awesome Journey fodder."

Mmm, well thank you for defining the term "snotsickle." Good timing as I've just come down with a bout of cold.

You'll never look at a hanging ice sickle the same!

I definitely plan on having my camera with me and if my trip is anywhere near as ambitious as I am them It'll be great.

I'll be back for the Shootout though!

coldclimb

Sweet shots Kelsey, I'm glad one of us is getting out.

ian408

Brrrrrr....nic...nice shots!