South Fork Ice (part 1 of 3)

MLK weekend last year was a great time to be in the South Fork so why wouldnt it be this year? Ill tell you why! Ice doesnt like sunshine, rain and complete lack of freezing temperatures! And thats exactly what we experienced the whole time we were down there. But you never know conditions until you see them first hand so Sam and I borrowed the boss' pop-up camper and headed South. We were the only people at the Deer Creek free campground! First thing Saturday we hiked the approach to "the Classic of Classics, a Super-Classic" called Broken Hearts only to find all the pitches after P1 to be melted out or in the process of. Not too discouraged, we went back to camp for lunch. Afterwards we walked/trudged/slogged up Cabin Creek looking for The Outdoorsman but Sam fell through the ice soaking a leg and boot so we turned around. Still not too discouraged, we drank like we were celebrating! We fell asleep to, and awoke to, the pitter patter of rain.

The first 2 pitches of Broken Hearts.

Did I mention Sam made me a new X40 Ice climbing pack from Mystery Ranch? That pack is the s***! Here it is with a mule deer shed I found on the approach. I took it, I dont know if I am allowed to or not. 

Yeah thats right! Custom! 

La Chateau de Shoshone

Mother nature's boot dryer