BradB Posted October 23, 2001 Posted October 23, 2001 I would just like to get some info on getting started on ice. I have been going up to Cascade Crags in Everett, and I think I am about ready for the real stuff. If you have any bits of wisdom that might help me get started. Also if you know of any easy routes that would suite a beginner. Brad Quote
Lambone Posted October 23, 2001 Posted October 23, 2001 [ 10-31-2001: Message edited by: lambone ] Quote
Jman Posted October 26, 2001 Posted October 26, 2001 quote: Originally posted by lambone: ...we'll both go out and swing our new tools together! What?! No perverted inuendo from Dru? I'm so disappointed. Quote
slothrop Posted October 26, 2001 Posted October 26, 2001 a good place to practice is on an icefall, say the coleman at mt. baker or the nisqually at mt. rainier. put in a few ice screws, throw down a top rope, and climb in and out of crevasses all day. i was at the coleman a week or so ago with the UW climbing club and had a great time (i'm just starting to ice climb, too). as for getting tools, there are some sweet grivel rambo IIs on sale at barrabes for just over $200/pair with shipping (sorry, lambone ) Quote
Lambone Posted October 30, 2001 Posted October 30, 2001 So there [ 10-31-2001: Message edited by: lambone ] Quote
Dru Posted October 30, 2001 Posted October 30, 2001 if your tool needs some head weight you shouldn't have had the circumcision! how's that for shameless innuendo?? Quote
BradB Posted October 31, 2001 Author Posted October 31, 2001 Thanks for the info on the tools, but I bought a pair of used cobras after trying them out at Cascade Crags. If anyone has any more info on waterfall ice in the Pierce/King county areas, i'd like to hear about it. Quote
Lambone Posted October 31, 2001 Posted October 31, 2001 Sorry Brad, had to try... Good score on the Cobras. This guy Paul Dietrick seems to know something about an ice demo at Banks Lake. Here is the http://www.cascadeclimbers.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic&f=1&t=001087 Quote
David_Parker Posted October 31, 2001 Posted October 31, 2001 A brand new ice climber with cobra's!!! Man, he'll never know what he missed out on! Kinda like a baby with a ferrari instead of a stroller! Guess I'm just jealous! Quote
Lambone Posted October 31, 2001 Posted October 31, 2001 Anyone who has only placed an Express screw will never know the true thrill of Ice Climbing... Quote
Dru Posted October 31, 2001 Posted October 31, 2001 express screws, cobras, as long as he has some clunky boots and SMC strap-on crampons we're safe. Quote
dan_e Posted October 31, 2001 Posted October 31, 2001 I agree with the last few comments, even though much of my gear is updated, however there is still plenty of "thrill" climbing ice while using modern gear like express screws, unless of course you are climbing grade 2 ice all winter! Just for fun, this was some of my gear 10 years ago! * = Still have em' - 50 cm Straight Shaft BD X-15's (no rubber grip) * Hinged, horizontal front point crampons (Salewa) * Several Lowe Fat Snargs and a few Lowe screws (aluminum with the steel tip, they sucked!) * Lowe Denali boots, over-sized by 2 sizes! I had an assortment of other odd gear as well, the stangest being a 5 lb mini-sledge hammer that I used for the Fat Snargs! Yes, it's true! I was not very strong back then and when the ice was hard I could not bang in a Snarg so this helped quite a bit, I had it holstered on my right side with a lease so I would not drop it and kill my partner! Quote
dan_e Posted November 1, 2001 Posted November 1, 2001 True Dave, they are a bit slooower up in Maine, if you know what I mean... I never had the pleasure of using Wart Hogs, but I think that's probably a good thing. Quote
David_Parker Posted November 1, 2001 Posted November 1, 2001 Dan, that was my gear up to last year!! But hey, I'm from Maine and you know how we Mainiacs are slow to accept change....probably a little worse than you New Hampshirites. How many Mainiacs does it take to change a light bulb?..... Three, one to change the bulb, two sit on the front porch and talk about how good the old one was!! I just stumbled across a few brand new wart hogs cleaning out an old climbers garage. I'm going to try them on some easy ice just for kicks!! Then I'm going to put them in my pile of gear destined for the first ice climbing museum! Quote
Dru Posted November 1, 2001 Posted November 1, 2001 save those warthogs for when you go chalk climbing in britain. Quote
Cpt.Caveman Posted November 3, 2001 Posted November 3, 2001 Pterodactyls, pound in ice pitons, wart hogs, hummingbirds, and all that stuff is killer. The funny thing is that I think ice tools have a long way to go too. I am waiting for the ones with full on knuckle guards. Quote
Cpt.Caveman Posted November 4, 2001 Posted November 4, 2001 If you want you can run out into the street into oncoming traffic too [ 11-04-2001: Message edited by: Cpt.Caveman ] Quote
dan_e Posted November 4, 2001 Posted November 4, 2001 Knuckle guards! That's what bursas are for! I miss the days when my knuckles were covered with these and especially when one broke! Ice climbing can be wonderful torture! Quote
Retrosaurus Posted November 5, 2001 Posted November 5, 2001 quote: Originally posted by Cpt.Caveman: I am waiting for the ones with full on knuckle guards. That would be awesome. Then you would never have to develop good technique. Quote
Chepe Posted November 5, 2001 Posted November 5, 2001 Knuckleguards are for wimps [ 11-05-2001: Message edited by: Chepe ] Quote
Cpt.Caveman Posted November 5, 2001 Posted November 5, 2001 quote: Originally posted by Retrosaurus: That would be awesome. Then you would never have to develop good technique. Exactly because I posses zero technique whatsoever. I thrash and bash my way to the tops of climbs and peaks. Don't ever let anyone tell you that you need good technique to climb 5.9 or WI3-4 A good amount of perserverence will take you a long way Quote
Dru Posted November 5, 2001 Posted November 5, 2001 The Capt. needs to preserve his knuckles for dragging them on the sidewalk when he walks down the block to the liquor store. Quote
Cpt.Caveman Posted November 5, 2001 Posted November 5, 2001 I am exploring the possibilities of home brewing these days. Keeping a few kegs around the home next to my bed and the couch on ice sounds convenient. That way I don't have to drag the knuckles as much Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.