Hyalite Ice: Abandon Ship (Project)

After scouting a crack line on the Cleo's wall the day prior, Kyler and I huffed the requisite heavy packs up to the wall but changed gears quickly when Kyler spied an ice line that we considered 'in' that had never been 'in' before. We found our way to the base and began the development process. Kyler lead the first meandering, all rock, approach pitch up in to a cave, aiding off one bolt. We drilled a two bolt anchor in the cave and I belayed Kyler while he bolted his way towards the ice. I dont remember what the limiting ingredient that day was but we stopped after Kyler had placed 5 bolts on that pitch. We had big plans to come back and finish it but Kyler has not been back since. I would come back later and try and finish it but was unsuccessful. (See later post)

Kyler checking out the Matriarch.

The climb pretty much goes up the middle of the picture.

There's a massive cave to the left of the ice where we set up the start of pitch 2. Pitch 2 would end somewhere above the uppermost ice seen here.

Kyler trying to find a way up in to the cave. I would eventually come back and place a bolt here.

Silhouette bolting.

Gravity defying ice!

Hyalite Ice: Twin Falls; First Ice of the season

I usually get the ice climbing bug about the time it gets cold. Twin Falls is tucked away in a sunless alcove at a relatively high elevation and usually provides the best early season ice in Hyalite. I also wanted to scout a line to the right of Cleo's that Kyler wanted to bolt so I was able to kill two birds with one stone. I fee solo'd a little ways up Twin Falls Right before down-climbing and calling it good. I had planned on v-threading my way off but there was not enough trustworthy ice for me. I walked over to the base of the crack line Ky was talking about a took a couple of photos.

The Cleo's Wall

Twin Falls Left and Right

The steep crack line.

1st backcountry turns of the year on Bridger

Kyler and I skinned up the ramp and skied Wolverine Bowl a couple of times chasing early season powder turns. We found them! I think this was election day and yes, we both voted.

Not a terrible snowpack.