Looking for accessible alpine ice training ground

[Brewer]

Hey. I know there's not much snow out there yet, but I'm planning for my winter activities (which will basically be preparing for spring/summer activities).

 

What I'm looking for an area to brush up on techniques (building anchors, belaying, rapping, climbing, etc). Ideal characteristics:

 

45-50 degree slope

No more than a mile or so from a(n open) road

Alpine ice (does this occur in the winter?)

Somewhere in the mid to north Cascades

 

If anyone knows some nice places that fit all or most of the criteria, I'd love to hear about it. Thanks!

 

 

Will also post this in the Alpine Lakes forum.

Edited December 3, 2008 by Brewer

[genepires]

2 o clock falls in the david thompson hwy. Ok, it is in alberta, but it fits everything else you asked for. Take a week off and go to banff for some winter ice climbing fun.

 

45 degree slope will be snow covered here.

[Brewer]

thanks, but i was looking for something a bit closer to home (central or north cascades).

[DirtyHarry]

Looking for accessible alpine ice

 

Aren't we all.

 

 

If you need to brush up on elementary skills like belaying and rappelling perhaps you should spend some time on some super easy rock climbs, or at the gym, before you head into the mountains and kill yourself.

[jared_j]

Is ice near Lillooet in yet?

[TrogdortheBurninator]

Is ice near Lillooet in yet?

[jared_j]

Wishful thinking on my part.

[Brewer]

Looking for accessible alpine ice

 

If you need to brush up on elementary skills like belaying and rappelling perhaps you should spend some time on some super easy rock climbs, or at the gym, before you head into the mountains and kill yourself.

 

 

With 3200 posts and 5 TRs I would have thought that you would already realize that there are things that can't be simulated on super easy rock climbs and at the gym.

 

Thanks for your concern, but this thread wasn't meant as a means for people to lecture me, rather as a way of finding local and accessible playgrounds.

[DirtyHarry]

[i would have thought that you would already realize that there are things that can't be simulated on super easy rock climbs and at the gym.

 

Somewhat true, but belaying and rappelling are skills that sure can be.

[G-spotter]

Is ice near Lillooet in yet?

 

I'll drive up and look if you pay for my gas money. PM me with your credit card # and expiration date.

[steller]

we have a road side weather station right there! for the same CC number and exp date i will provide the pw's. haha !

 

Chris!

[Brewer]

[i would have thought that you would already realize that there are things that can't be simulated on super easy rock climbs and at the gym.

 

Somewhat true, but belaying and rappelling are skills that sure can be.

 

 

Yeah, perhaps I over-simplified my intentions. I just want to get out there and get hands-on with whatever I can without being too deep in the backcountry. Snow/ice anchors, escaping the belay, rescue scenarios, snowpack analysis, stuff like that.

 

I've only lived in Washington for a couple years and last season was my first in alpinism, so I'm just trying to build a base of knowledge in addition to Freedom of the Hills and the AAI course.

 

 

Thanks.

Edited December 5, 2008 by Brewer

[jmace]

Chris which organization are these weather stations associated with?

[steller]

ministry of transportation . Road weather information system. designed to help the maintinence contractor with road conditions. i believe this particular WX stn provides subsurface temps and ambient air temps max, min, and present. I snooped around the net and could not find a way to access this without passwords unfortunatly. alot of the ministry webcams have local wx stn data associated with them such as the coquihalla cams. Enjoy

 

Chris...

[jordansahls]

Coleman seracs are the only thing I can think of. You won't find a better place to practice your ice shit in Washington.

Edited December 9, 2008 by jordansahls