NORTHEAST ICE CLIMBING TRIP

JANUARY 2008

My good buddy Nate Farr flew out from WA to do some north east ice climbing.  Unfortunately his arrival marked the beginning of a multi day thaw.  Several days of 50-60F weather demolished much of the ice in all of New England.  Prior to the thaw, the ice conditions had been amazing, some of the best in years.  This was good because it meant that some stuff survived the hot weather.  We got on some good stuff throughout the area including climbs at Frankenstein Cliff, NH; Keene Valley, NY; Smugglers Notch, VT; and Bolton Quarry, VT.

Nate leading Dracula.  He's near the top of the 120ft pitch

Me following a mixed pitch at Bolton Quarry...it was REALLY warm this day

Nate leading up a short mixed pitch at Bolton Quarry, VT

Me ascending the 1st pitch of Elephants Head Gully

Me ascending the last pitch of EHG.  Nate led this pitch, it was an awesome mixed pitch

Nate rockin' some mixed climbing in Keene Valley, NY

Myself ascending some quickly melting ice at Keene Valley

Nate showin' us how its done with a heel hook

Dracula...at Frankenstein Cliff in NH.  WI4.  Nate led this awesome route, which had a tricky exit