| Ice Report 2005/2006 I had to remove some old posts to save space. I kept the posts with route pictures for reference. |
| November 12th, 2005 Spent the last two days on the 19-Mile Wall and the climbing is very good. We climbed "Oosik" on the 11th and found very enjoyable WI4 conditions. Today we climbed Pillar #2 on "Matinee" and found fun WI5- conditions. The weather was calm, sunny and warm. |
| January 29th, 2006 Cold temps have been holding over the area for the last week. Single digit to sub-zero temps coupled with strong winds have slowed climbing some. Side canyons that are out of the wind are the place to be. We went into Hole-in-The Wall yesterday and climbed "Dire Straits". The ice was brittle and hard but the route was fat and fun. We found WI4+ or 5- condtions on the route. The snow is deep but a trail is in now. "Second Coming" was in but snowy, it should be good when it gets cleaned off. We did not make it back to "Crystal Visions". Picture of Approach, Picture of Climb |
| February 5, 2006 Climbing in Mineral Creek canyon is good. Friday we climbed "Prix..." WI4+ 130' it was short and steep with good ice and a nice view. Temps were moderate hovering around 20 degrees. Saturday was much colder with 0 degrees at the trail head. We climbed the first pitch of "Wowie Zowie" and found brittle but fun climbing up to WI5+. The top pillar looked very wet and there was some pretty good drips lower on the route. Luckly it is steep enough that most of the water fell past us. This route looks pretty fat this year and is stil growing!!! Overview picture Approaching Wowie Zowie Day One on "Prix Du Concellation" Day Two on "Wowie Zowie" |
| February 27th, 2006 Spent the last few days in Hole-In-The Wall all routes are in good shape. Most routes in the Valdez area are in and looking good. Its a good time to come to Valdez. I will update this page again as conditions change. Here are some shots of 'Second Coming" WI4, 320' Second Coming One Second Coming Two |
| March 5th, 2006 Spent the 4th in Hole In The wall again and climbed "My Three Rats" WI5, 340'. We found poor ice and challengening conditions on the first pitch. The top pitch had good ice and was extremely fun. Unfortunantly the top pitch was shorter than we had hoped for. On the 5th we climbed 'Flying Cloud" WI5+ 340'. We found WI5 conditions with good ice and fun climbing. "My Three Rats" "Flying Cloud" |
| March 6th, 2006 Climbed in Abercrombie Gulch today and found plastic ice and warm temps. We climbed "No Way Jose" WI3. "Shine On" had a nice pillar formed on it. "No Way Jose", WI3 "Shine On", WI2/3 |
| March 19th, 2005 Conditions are good through out the area. The days are long and the ice is fat. Climbed "Rain Check", WI4 the other day and found great ice. We even got to climb in the sun. We climbed "Big Brother", WI5 today and found good ice and snowy conditions. The ice was in great shape and the climbing was fun. We replaced the webbing on the rap station to the base of the route. |
| March 25th, 2006 LOOK OUT FOR FALLING DEBRIS!!!!!! Sunny sky's and warm temps are ruling the area. By mid-day solar effects are starting to take their toll on the climbs. We were chased out of Bear Creek the other day by falling debris. Smaller flows are melting but the bigger climbs are hanging in there. We climbed "Greensteps", WI5 today and found great ice and an enjoyable climb. By 2:30 pm the sun was beating on it pretty good so an early start is advised |
| April 9th, 2006 Looks like the season is starting to come to a close. Things have been warm for the last few weeks and it is starting to take its toll. Climbs that are protected from the sun may be doable. "Popsicle" looked alright when a drove by it yesteday. "Fang Gully" still looks good but be careful crossing under "Hung Jury", the bells are cracking. There was a solo climber on the 1st pitch of Greensteps yesterday. I have been doing more rock climbing than ice this week. |
| Another great ice season comes to a close !!! Looking forward to next November. |
