Flap-master-Flex Posted January 16, 2012 Posted January 16, 2012 Trip: Alpental Ice Cragging - Unknown Flow Date: 1/16/2012 Trip Report: Hey guys, My buddy Galloway and I had a fun time out top roping some ice in the Alpental area on Saturday 1/14/12...Thought I would share. I'm not sure what the name of the flow is, but it can be found leaving the upper Alpental parking lot approx 30 minutes approach in towards Source Lake. You will see it on the left side of the trail around a corner in a creek drainage area... Here are the lines that we climbed and saw others get on during the day: The main flow on the left (green & yellow lines) was pretty wet and a bit brittle. We didn't feel like we could safely lead it so we dropped a top rope down. Some delicate climbing was done here making lots of hooks in little nooks and crannies.. The little mixed route to the right (orange) was actually really fun, but some of the ice up top was a little hollow/ detached from the rock. we saw a few guys lapping the red line on the far left and they said the ice was great. We did see some gnarly spin drift coming down that chute though. Here are some more pics from the trip... Looking up at the base of the main flow Myself climbing the main flow.. Galloway cruising on up! Start of the little mixed line on the right... Right side fun Overall it was a very fun day and our first true taste of Alpental Ice climbing. We took a trip up to check out the North Face of Chair a couple days before this..maybe I will add a TR for that as well if you guys enjoy this. Hopefully I didnt spam too many photos. Oh well, 1 more for good measure hahaha.. Tilt!!! Go get some guys! Hope to see you out there Gear Notes: Normal Ice Rack & Approach Gear Approach Notes: Simple approach.. Follow the trail leading away from the upper parking lot at Alpental. Stay left at the fork where a wide trail heads down right to the creek. Once you hit a clearing with rock face on the left continue to follow the ski trail and look left when you come around a corner and up hill. Snowshoes would be nice if there is lots of fresh snow. Crampons are welcome when the ski/snowboard trails are hard and icy. Check the avy conditions before heading up there, the slope to get above the climb and top rope is pretty prone to slides. We have seen a couple there this season. Quote
Flap-master-Flex Posted January 16, 2012 Author Posted January 16, 2012 Oh, and if anyone knows what this is called please let me know. I'm curious... I think its fairly close to the coordinates the Washington Ice book gives for kiddie cliff, but from the description it doesn't sound the same. Quote
Zachgudwin Posted January 17, 2012 Posted January 17, 2012 Hey man, it was good meeting you, how did you like that left flow? Quote
Fireball Posted January 17, 2012 Posted January 17, 2012 Definately Kiddie Cliff, not suprising to see spin drift, just be glad it was not more since there is a huge bowl above there. You would be surprised to see how much larger the rock face is early season before slides fill it in. Looks like fun! Quote
Flap-master-Flex Posted January 17, 2012 Author Posted January 17, 2012 Yea it was nice to meet you too dude. The left side was fun for sure. It was pretty cold with water dripping down on you though haha. I cant wait to get back up there and get my climb on again! Quote
Flap-master-Flex Posted January 17, 2012 Author Posted January 17, 2012 Ok, so this is Kiddie Cliff then...good to know! Yea I hiked up there earlier this season and you are right, that rock has a ton more snow on it now. Quote
Flap-master-Flex Posted January 24, 2012 Author Posted January 24, 2012 No problem I'm glad to contribute something to this awesome forum! Quote
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