YocumRidge Posted January 1, 2011 Posted January 1, 2011 Today 12/31/2010 Pete (MtnHigh) and I went on ice recon to the Pete's Pile. Here is our summary: [video:vimeo]18337953 Right side of Pete's Pile: Soloable and unprotectable (yet) ice under 30': Mixed lines: Left side: We soloed a bunch of WI3-WI5 stuff that we had to downclimb thanks to the tricky topouts. MntHigh likes traverses: While I prefer the free standing pillars with scary finish: Obligatory shot: Quote
stevetimetravlr Posted January 1, 2011 Posted January 1, 2011 Nice! Good effort and beta. How was the hoof up there? I'm thinking I might have to take the topout trail and use some top rope anchors until its gets phat but thats me, I'm not so bold. Was the Schoolroom area in(where the bench is)? Seems like that might be a optimun place with the midpoint anchors, and it has a constant drip even in the summer time. Quote
YocumRidge Posted January 1, 2011 Author Posted January 1, 2011 Steve, the Schoolroom did not look strikingly different from the rest. Does it have midpoint anchors? I did not know that. Might take some time to dig them out though, but give it a couple of days and lead it instead The hoof was white and windy! Quote
MJaso Posted January 1, 2011 Posted January 1, 2011 Thanks for the post. Will you elaborate on the approch please? I've never been out there, but I do see the coordinates on google maps. Is there parking, etc.... or perhaps you wouldn't mind me tagging along next time for some recon. Quote
el jefe Posted January 1, 2011 Posted January 1, 2011 pete's pile is visible from highway 35. the approach is pretty straightforward and the parking as well. if you are headed south on 35 from hood river it will be on your left (east) pretty much where the turn off to cooper spur resort is located. Quote
MtnHigh Posted January 1, 2011 Posted January 1, 2011 Pete's Pile info plus responses to various questions and comments The area with the belay bench and mid anchors is dry. No ice forms there. The ice climbs are all south of there. Anchors Establishing an anchor on top for most of the ice lines is challenging. Trees on the bench above the wall are more than 200' back except for the far right side of the cliff(pic #1). There are no anchors above the climbs in the first 5 pics. There are chains above the climb in the middle of pic #6 (labeled left side). The bench above the cliff is littered with large boulders. Bring long slings to wrap them or you might get lucky with rock pro. Some of the walls at Pete's including the wall in pic #8 has spring/summer/fall climbing restrictions because of a rare plant that resides there. That's probably why there are few anchors on obvious ice lines. Parking The pullout for Pete's, located south of the Cooper Spur road on hwy 35 at the south end of 8' high netted rock catchment fence along the east side of the hwy, is blocked in winter by a snow bank from plowing the hwy. Park on the west side of the hwy about a half mile south of the normal pullout. ODOT has a large pullout plowed for the campground and access to trails. Approach From the normal pullout on the east side of the hwy hike up and left through a steep forest. The cliff above is about a half mile long and parallels the hwy, so it is difficult to miss the crag. In summer the approach is under 15 min. or Just follow the tracks we layed down on Friday. It is not suppose to snow/rain until Wednesday, so our tracks will be there for a few days. Now I must get back to the Badger game. Quote
layton Posted January 2, 2011 Posted January 2, 2011 pete, i heard it was named after you? way to be historical and shit Quote
Crackman Posted January 2, 2011 Posted January 2, 2011 Appreciate the scouting report Pete and Mito! Inspired me to go check it out for myself late today. Followed your steps right on up - thanks! Same as you - soloed several lines up to my comfort level and then down-climbed. Thought there might be several others there after your report but had the place all to myself. Would like to return tomorrow with someone and get some TR laps in. After two aborted attempts to get to Strobach this week, this hit the spot. Quote
bozeb Posted January 2, 2011 Posted January 2, 2011 (edited) I went out to the Gorge today 1/2/2011 and took some pics of Mist and CrownJewel. I climbed on mist a bit on the left and far right side. there were a few times where big stuff (basket ball size) fell off of the top down onto the climb. I talked to some climbers that were just leaving as I got there. (awesome people) and they said they got at least some 18 CM ice screws in fine with out hitting rock/moss. I was using my short screws when I soloed the left side. kind of cauliflowery but ok. not sure how well the skrews would have held but put some wieght on them and they stayed in for me. hope to be back out on the 3rd in the AM. thanks. [ Edited January 3, 2011 by bozeb Quote
Plaidman Posted January 2, 2011 Posted January 2, 2011 Nothing is in. Checked thourghly yesterday Quote
corvallisclimb Posted January 2, 2011 Posted January 2, 2011 pete, i heard it was named after you? way to be historical and shit Quote
denalidave Posted January 3, 2011 Posted January 3, 2011 Almost Oregon Ice Update. Hamilton is getting a good start. Looks like the weather is warming up soon, though... Quote
powderhound Posted January 3, 2011 Posted January 3, 2011 anyone climb anything out there recently? Quote
Moonlight Posted January 3, 2011 Posted January 3, 2011 We climbed Mist Falls yesterday morning - a route on climbers left. Not too bad, we were able to get a couple screws in. Middle and right looked a little thin yesterday morning - and there was some ice fall coming down from above that was hitting the middle and right climbs (and a little bit on the left). Lots of spray with the wind, we got pretty wet. Still can't beat climbing close to home! Quote
stevetimetravlr Posted January 3, 2011 Posted January 3, 2011 Inversion in the Gorge so should keep the ice coming on for a few more days if it holds. Currently 34 degrees at 6600 feet on Hood, 30 degrees at 5200 feet, Hood River 27 degrees. Also no wind on the mountain, so is should be crusting over a bit. Bad for skiing, good for climbing. Quote
YocumRidge Posted January 3, 2011 Author Posted January 3, 2011 Nice, Melissa! Does anyone want to head out there tomorrow morning? Let me know. 503-901-3837. Quote
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