pac man Posted February 1, 2010 Share Posted February 1, 2010 Trip: Dwindling Bluewood and Ellensburg ice - Bluewood and Ellensburg Date: 1/30/2010 Trip Report: We went out searching for whatever ice was left so that we could swing our tools before a trip to Ouray. We found that the "high mass" ice flows of Bluewood and Ellensburg did survive the recent high temperatures, but they were definitely the smallest I have seen them and parts of them were highly suspect. On Saturday we climbed a short WI2-3 at Bluewood and did some laps. Our climb, and the only climb on the main wall I was willing to lead with the conditions, goes up right next to the branch found at the top center of the picture. Then I convinced the wife to take the sharp end and lead a short low-angle WI2 on the far right side of the ice flow. Being hopeful, on Sunday we headed to Umptanum Falls but did not like that the main snow fed drip did not touch down and we suspected that the ice had little bond to the rock. Since we were already there, we climbed the short gully between the snow fed drip and the main falls, which is definitely not worth the drive or hike. All in all, as expected it wasn't a stellar weekend of ice, but with low enough standards, we found something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RokIzGud Posted February 2, 2010 Share Posted February 2, 2010 Atleast you found some! ...As in Ellensburg the town or a route? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pac man Posted February 2, 2010 Author Share Posted February 2, 2010 Ellensburg the town. The route is the snow melt drip right across from Umptanum Falls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RokIzGud Posted February 2, 2010 Share Posted February 2, 2010 Nice. If theres another cold spell ill have to check it out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevino Posted February 2, 2010 Share Posted February 2, 2010 The reason why its not touching down is due to the fact that the ice in the pond melted and the water level is lower than when it formed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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