cfire Posted January 29, 2011 Posted January 29, 2011 Trip: Montana - Date: 1/20/2011 Trip Report: I know I know. Another Montana ice trip report. I'll spare the story and just give a few picures. After the usual Hyalite circuit, we went for California Ice in the East Rosebud. We boned the approach in the dark and had to traverse roughly half of the mountain through waist deep snow to get to the route, so we only had time for the first pitch, but we will return...what a route! The Fat One Cleopatras Needle East Rosebud Valley - Beautiful and wild place East Rosebud Lake View of California Ice day before from the valley California Ice...it's big. A unique view as we traversed in. The final few feet of the approach from hell The belay cave halfway up Also did the Sceptor, Palisades, Mummy II, Thrill is gone, etc. All were fat even with warm temps. Enjoy! Approach Notes: East Rosebud - Strongly suggest a recon trip up the valley to scope approach as if you want to top out on the plateau it's a full day with a start in the dark. And wait for solid snow or no snow! Quote
The Ospray Posted January 30, 2011 Posted January 30, 2011 Nice job! How long do you think the approach to California Ice would take if you had not have messed up. Thinking about heading that way sometime this season before its too late. Cheers. Quote
cfire Posted January 30, 2011 Author Posted January 30, 2011 Should take about 3 hours in the right snow conditions and right drainage. We took 6 Quote
BigSky Posted January 30, 2011 Posted January 30, 2011 Were you on the Thrill early saturday by chance? I have a picture of a party on it taken from Mummy II. Quote
cfire Posted January 30, 2011 Author Posted January 30, 2011 We were on it Friday. Thanks though. Quote
fultonville Posted January 30, 2011 Posted January 30, 2011 Nice attentive belay on Cleopatras Needle. Guess he's just waiting for that first screw to go in, right? ;-j Good looking pics, thanks! Quote
cfire Posted January 30, 2011 Author Posted January 30, 2011 He's so good he doesn't need a belay. He's just dragging the rope up for me. Quote
sean_beanntan Posted January 31, 2011 Posted January 31, 2011 (edited) Just wanted to add that we started the California Ice day in the dark because our aim was to climb to the plateau, makes it it a long day. The book talks about a creek (which was covered by snow) and the approach gully is not easily seen from the trail. That thigh deep champagne snow covering tree downs and 2 boulder fields was a choice way to start the day. Fun climbing as always with the Man from Stanwood. here are some more photo Sceptor Rap California Ice Climbing higher Cleo's 2nd pitch Edited January 31, 2011 by sean_beanntan Quote
scottgg Posted February 1, 2011 Posted February 1, 2011 Nice Chris and Sean! I'm hoping to head through Bozeman in early March, and this TR has got me stoked! Quote
wayne Posted February 4, 2011 Posted February 4, 2011 nice report, Gotta do Cal-Ice! we are in the area now and I did an update, link below Quote
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