On a Shoestring Budget

Drove over to NH to climb yet another amazing gully climb.  Shoestring gully is a ~6 pitch WI2 alpine gully climb.  Situated in Crawford Notch SP, amongst other classics such as Willey's Slide and Cinema Gully.  Shoestring was one of the best ice climbs I have done in years.  Despite the moderate nature of the the climbing, the alpine feeling of the route and the length (nearly 2000' of climbing/approach) added up to create a wonderful outing.  The only downfall of the climb was that near the base of the 2nd pitch, we were overtaken by a throng of climbers, due to some climbers ahead of us going a bit slow.  The ice was brittle (really brittle) and we were constantly pelted with chunks of ice.

Only two pitches from the top

Soloing the first "pitch"

On top at last; Mt. Willey in the background

A climber starting up the 2nd pitch

Shoestring gully on Mt. Willard