mccallboater Posted December 14, 2007 Posted December 14, 2007 (edited) Trip: Poison Creek, near Marsing - ice climbing recon, a little early Date: 12/12/2007 Trip Report: Had a great day scoping out rock and ice potential about 45 minutes to the trailhead from downtown Boise and 20 minutes from the car walking up and over sage covered hills. The Jump Creek and Poison Creek drainages are surprisingly interesting (more pics) with compact, knobby, solid rock encompasing everything from pitch-long freestanding pillars to 4-5 pitch walls with not much pro. Gotta have a helmet on for lunch, right? The ice was just starting to form up. By mid-winter this spot could get very interesting. Gear Notes: Not knowing what to expect, we took way too much stuff. Look for single manky bolts at the top of ice pitches. For trad climbing, bring gear for off-widths in addition to a standard trad rack. Most long routes have walk offs. Bring one rope. Approach Notes: PM me for details. One passes through private property gates on a county road to get there. Nice people, but they deserve some respectful advance warning of your plans. The climbs are all on BLM land though. Edited December 14, 2007 by mccallboater Quote
kurthicks Posted December 15, 2007 Posted December 15, 2007 Looks cool. Have you ever explored the cliffs near the Weis Rockshelter a couple miles north of Grangeville? I've only seen it in a warm spell mid winter, but ice definitely forms there. Quote
sobo Posted December 15, 2007 Posted December 15, 2007 There's cliffs near the rockshelter? Shite, I've never even driven the 7 miles off the main highway to see the shelter. Now ya tells me... Quote
kurthicks Posted December 15, 2007 Posted December 15, 2007 yes. probably 15 independent short lines (15-25m?). plus a couple at the Dome... Quote
mccallboater Posted December 15, 2007 Author Posted December 15, 2007 Grangeville? No, I haven't. That's a LONG way from Boise. Quote
sobo Posted December 15, 2007 Posted December 15, 2007 So what lines are you thinking freeze up at the Dome? Brown Sugar and Sticky Fingers would appear to be likely candidates, they being bolt-protected and next to water grooves... Spill, Kurt! Quote
sobo Posted December 15, 2007 Posted December 15, 2007 Grangeville? No, I haven't. That's a LONG way from Boise. I think we both thought that you live in McCall. At least, I did... Quote
kurthicks Posted December 15, 2007 Posted December 15, 2007 So what lines are you thinking freeze up at the Dome? Brown Sugar and Sticky Fingers would appear to be likely candidates, they being bolt-protected and next to water grooves... Spill, Kurt! 2 lines directly across the river from the roadside sport routes we climbed. they look like WI3 and WI5 respectively, probably long 1 pitch routes. They're hard to see through the trees, but they're there. I think the handcrack just left of the sport routes freezes too as it is a water groove with moss and drips year round. supposedly the falls just right of the Road Warrior area freezes on occasion at WI2ish. there are a few more by Lewiston that I can point out too. Milepost 18 on Hwy 12 east, and out at MP 118 (or so) there are a few unclimbed falls too. sad that I moved before i ticked them all... Quote
sobo Posted December 15, 2007 Posted December 15, 2007 Are you talking about across the river from the Power Pole spot routes? Approach would "adventuresome" in winter, to say the least... Falls right of RW, eh? Yah, I could see that, and at a very rambly WI-2 as well. Not worth the trip from the Tri for the quality. However, Lewiston is at the halfway point from here. Could do some poaching this winter... Quote
Jake_Gano Posted December 16, 2007 Posted December 16, 2007 I have seen some ice in the river gorges down near lewiston, but nothing worth driving far for. This was in an exceptionlly cold, snowy winter a few back. I wouldn't count on those lines forming in most years. I would be anything you climb down there would be a FA. Apparently there aren't many climbers in that camaro sporting, def lep rocking hole. PS Sobo, if you are ice poaching in Lewiston, does that mean you'll take 45 extra minutes to come deliver my frosty adult beverages? Quote
mccallboater Posted December 16, 2007 Author Posted December 16, 2007 I've got a house in McCall and in Boise. But I'm in Boise at the moment. Back in McCall soon though. All CCcom'ers welcome. Quote
sobo Posted December 16, 2007 Posted December 16, 2007 PS Sobo, if you are ice poaching in Lewiston, does that mean you'll take 45 extra minutes to come deliver my frosty adult beverages? I sure would. I have not forgotten your generosity, as much as it may seem that I have. Can that stuff be shipped in the mail, or do you prefer a delivery service with that personal touch? Quote
Jake_Gano Posted December 18, 2007 Posted December 18, 2007 I wouldn't worry about shipping them. Just PM me if you'll be in the area, that ought to do. I've been the the TriCities three or four times in the last six months, but it slipped my mind to get ahold of you to get them. Quote
sobo Posted December 18, 2007 Posted December 18, 2007 Do get a hold of me next time you're through. We could do your frosty beverages "live." Quote
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