Strawberry Mountains

[Billy]

Hi-

Anyone ever climbed the falls at Strawberry Lake? Anyone know anything about the approach, length of climb, difficulty, or any other ice climbs in the region?

[Don_Gonthier]

This may not help much but, I talked to a guy who was heading out to try it with some people from Praire City a couple of years ago. It sounded like it had been attempted before. I hiked by it in summer a couple of years ago and as I remember the approach is about 3 miles over pretty moderate terrain. The big issue would be getting your car to the trail head. The place is pretty cool and it looks like there might be other possibilities in the area. Has anyone ever looked at the Anthony Lakes area in winter for ice, its got some good granite in the summer and the road is open all year to the ski area?

[vert]

The strawberry range has excellant ice opportunities. Strawberry falls provides half a dozen routes up to ninty feet mostly pure some mixed. (wood finishes on a few!) To the west of the lower lake "little provo wi 4/5" climbs the deceptivly steep broad flow in one long pitch. East of the upper lake amongst the island of trees, the honey pot offers some fun climbing as well. The gem of the area however is called "the after image". This grade v wi5+ is a serious alpine endeaver. It consists of 120 meters of steep ice in the middle of a 420 meter alpine north face. The overall grade depends on timing. Later in the season when the cave pillar touches down, its a bitch to approach, often bad depth hoar. Early season it can be a cruise to get to it but, the overhanging climbing pumps the technical grade. Anthony lakes, because of its granitic substrate, does not offer anything consistant. The rock routes on Lees peak could be interesting dry tool training routes, good pro, maybe one or two real sticks. Happy hunting, vert.

[Lambone]

Where is that? Oregon I assume...

 

You guys know if there are any climbs near Crater Lake area?

[iain]

Mt. Theilsen

[b-rock]

Strawberry range is just south of John Day (east central part of the state).

[Lambone]

quote:

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Originally posted by iain:

Mt. Theilsen

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Ice climbs that is, waterfall...

[iain]

sorry, just saw your post out of context with the topic.

[Billy]

Hey Vert-

Thanks for the info. Is that N face route on Strawberry Peak itself? Also, how far can you usually drive in? Do you know when those routes come into shape?

Thanks for any info.

[gapertimmy]

what about in the basin area of slide lakes? there are some pretty substanital cliffs above the lake

[pope]

This thread reminds me...anybody out there have a Strawberry Mountain chalk bag in good condition? These are the oversized, red/navy cordura jobbers one could purchase in the mid-1980s. I'd be interested in purchasing it.

[vert]

You can drive as far as the county plows, usually to the timber just below McNaughton spring. If the snow is to deep, do not attempt going any farther as you will possitively get stuck and rut up the road! This is highly frowned upon by the locals. After image is obvious above and south of strawberry lake. In fact, with a good scope, you can view it from 26 at the conastoga overlook north of prarie city. Camp at the trail head campground or find a bivvy at house rock adjacent little strawberry lake. Regards, vert.

[Billy]

Thanks Vert!

Are those climbs snowmelt or water seepages/courses? It would help to know this to judge conditions.

Thanks

[vert]

They are spring fed and form every year. Waterfall ice begins forming in late october at the high elevations around here and is usually well filled in by christmas. Snow melt throughout the season can form twice the number of climbs but is usually ephemeral at best thus hard to predict. The climbs i described for you will be there probably as we speak. The crux pillar on after image usually does not touch down until the upper sixty meters fills out. This route, if you want the best and more sane conditions, is best done late in the season. The first ascent however was done in early february, 1996. Later, vert.