I learned what Ice climbing after joining the Colorado Mountain Club, it wasn't something that I had heard of before, which is not surprising. When I lived back east, I swore I would never rock climb, and I went hiking probably a few times year. I was also 40 pounds heavier. I always loved hiking, but I could never find anyone to go with, and I was not confident enough to go alone.
My experience ice climbing was probably one of the most liberating, I felt more safe than I do when on rock.
When I arrived here in Colorado, I began to hike quite frequently, and the more I learned, the strong stronger I got, the more confident I began to feel in the backcountry. In 2011, I did so many new things- backpacking, rock climbing, and climbed my first 3 14ers! So far, 2012 has introduced me to my new favorite climbing sport...Ice Climbing.
The group I went with is based out of Boulder Colorado, which is about 40 mins from my house, meaning that I had to wake up earlier than they did! I went to bed at 7:30 on Friday night, and woke at 3:00am on Saturday January 14, 2012. Being up so early was certainly disorienting, and I arrived at the meeting spot slightly early. We piled into two different cars, and drove to Rocky Mountain National Park.
We arrived slightly before 6am, and began hiking via headlamp. It was quite chilly, but clear-- the moon brightened the dark snow covered landscape, and the sky was blanketed with stars. Despite the early start, I was amazed at the beauty, even in the dark. We arrived at the lake shortly after sunrise, and put our harness's and crampons on, for a lovely stroll across the frozen lake! Once on the other side of the two lakes, we post holed through deep crusty snow, and climbed to the beautiful ice flow.
The wind was rather strong, as our Instructor made the maiden voyage up the ice flow, setting up the first route. I made my first attempt to climb up the ice, within 30 mins of arrival, and it is a truly amazing feeling to make that first kick into the ice! The first time up, I only climbed about 15ft., my calves were knotting up, and my hands were numb from gripping the tools. I asked to be lowered, and stretched my muscles for my second trip up the ice.
I decided to take the longer route up the second time, and found that my body felt more comfortable with the rhythmic movement of Ice Climbing. The sun began to rise over the trees by this point, shining on the gleaming ice, and then shortly after, disappearing back into the trees.
I made it more than three quarters of the way up the route, before I slipped off the wall, to be caught by my belayer. I made two more ascents of the ice wall before the group packed up and hiked out.
The group I went with is based out of Boulder Colorado, which is about 40 mins from my house, meaning that I had to wake up earlier than they did! I went to bed at 7:30 on Friday night, and woke at 3:00am on Saturday January 14, 2012. Being up so early was certainly disorienting, and I arrived at the meeting spot slightly early. We piled into two different cars, and drove to Rocky Mountain National Park.
We arrived slightly before 6am, and began hiking via headlamp. It was quite chilly, but clear-- the moon brightened the dark snow covered landscape, and the sky was blanketed with stars. Despite the early start, I was amazed at the beauty, even in the dark. We arrived at the lake shortly after sunrise, and put our harness's and crampons on, for a lovely stroll across the frozen lake! Once on the other side of the two lakes, we post holed through deep crusty snow, and climbed to the beautiful ice flow. The wind was rather strong, as our Instructor made the maiden voyage up the ice flow, setting up the first route. I made my first attempt to climb up the ice, within 30 mins of arrival, and it is a truly amazing feeling to make that first kick into the ice! The first time up, I only climbed about 15ft., my calves were knotting up, and my hands were numb from gripping the tools. I asked to be lowered, and stretched my muscles for my second trip up the ice.
I decided to take the longer route up the second time, and found that my body felt more comfortable with the rhythmic movement of Ice Climbing. The sun began to rise over the trees by this point, shining on the gleaming ice, and then shortly after, disappearing back into the trees.
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| One of our Party basking in the Morning Sun. |
My experience ice climbing was probably one of the most liberating, I felt more safe than I do when on rock.
As the sun dipped further beneath the hills, we hiked across the frozen lake, pushed to and fro by the strong, bone chilling wind.
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| To the left, Longs peak, Middle Pagoda Peak, and to the right is Chiefs head. |
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| The group! |
It was certainly a day to remember, and I hope to continue having such amazing adventures!
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