The last two fridays I have spent in Vail, Colorado. Strangely enough, I’ve been there three times so far this year, and I haven’t skied yet. But the ice climbing has been great!
Two weeks ago we went back to the Rigid Designator amphitheater. Such a beautiful location.
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| Rigid Designator |
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| “Rigid Designator” WI 4-5 |
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| Matt climbing the beautiful “Rigid Designator” WI 4-5 |
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| In ice climbing, even belaying is dangerous. I kicked off a chunk of ice that hit my belayer. |
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| Matt working hard on the mixed route “Titties and Beer” M7 |
The descent is always the best part. You glissade down the mountain, as Matt demonstrates:
This last Friday we went to a new area called the Firehouse. The approach is much shorter than Rigid Designator and it doesn’t seem to get as much attention. There were only two other people there, a guide and his client.
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| Matt leading “Lowe Gravity” WI 4. The column to his left made a terrifying cracking noise after he had placed a screw in it for protection. He changed course and moved up to the right. |
I lead my first ice climb here, a WI 3+ called “The East of the West”. I’m psyched! Unfortunately, there are no photographs as proof.
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| Matt working on “Eastern Expansion” WI 4+ M6+ |
