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donini
Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
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Jan 27, 2011 - 06:30pm PT
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Nice, given the amount of ice climbing I've done I sometimes wonder why I've never made it to Cody. I hear nothing but good reports from my friends. I now seem to always forgo ice if I can find some rock with favorable winter weather- perhaps, a trip to Cody would fire me up again for ice.
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hooblie
climber
from where the anecdotes roam
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Jan 27, 2011 - 07:20pm PT
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asking permission to be where more potent stuff than you rules the day
puts a few things in perspective, unless you're blundering through unaware.
packing what it takes to knock that force down makes sense on one level, but not having
to invoke that privilege (if that's the right word) is something to celebrate.
after waiting ten years for the right conditions, i was lucky to get the chance to walk up the clark's fork
of the frozen yellowstone through the narrows and oogle stuff that wasn't intended to be seen.
those images will stay with me, we didn't feel the need to slay them, even with a camera.
i'm glad you got to visit, and the powers that be got to stay (talkin' bears here)
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T2
climber
Cardiff by the sea
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Jan 27, 2011 - 10:16pm PT
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Fantastic! That was really cool Thanks
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bergbryce
Mountain climber
Oakland
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Jan 27, 2011 - 10:28pm PT
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Yes.
Must swing tools, soon.
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wbw
climber
'cross the great divide
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Topic Author's Reply - Jan 27, 2011 - 11:18pm PT
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Thanks for the nice comments, again folks. I was just turned on to this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjHiu4RWMBk
and am now reconsidering everything I wrote about climbing in the South Fork. Does anyone know if Piton Ron climbs ice??
We paid $150/night for the bunkhouse, which split between 6 guys was the same price per night as the befallen Bison Willy's. I recommend it. (There was enough space for everyone to throw their wet crap down each night to dry out.)
Mees, I agree that doing the longer walk is much better than the river crossing. I've heard tales of tough ice climber dudes wading the river barefoot, which to me is unimaginable. I followed my friend Dave across the "iced-up" river one time where we were truly crossing stuff that just should not have held our weight, for long distances. I was so scared that I was numb. That's when you want a partner that is truly an alpinist, and will simply go for anything with ice on it. Hard to imagine, Mr. Donini that you've never been up to the South Fork.
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Decko
Trad climber
Colorado
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Jan 28, 2011 - 12:09am PT
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From my about 10 years of climbing in the South Fork the river was in the best shape I've ever seen for crossing, not to mention if you do fall thru it's no more than thigh deep at it's deepest spot.
As one long time local told me about bear spray "how many times have you been in the South Fork and the wind isn't blowing (0), that gives you a %50-%50 chance the wind will be in your favor"
Not my words nor the one of the caretaker of the ranch.....
Just passing them along.....
Jim Donini...........
You should really visit the South Fork.........
It makes Colorado ice seem like a waste of time....
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Branscomb
Trad climber
Lander, WY
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Jan 28, 2011 - 11:39am PT
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No, I wouldn't come to Cody. Long approaches, wading river, Arctic fronts, insane moose, grizzlies: totally a dangerous and horrible experience.
Please stay away so we can have it to ourselves, please.
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mike m
Trad climber
black hills
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Jan 28, 2011 - 02:19pm PT
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How do you contact the Flying H? The river crossing aint that bad. Walked through it with Sandals, Socks, waders, and over it on the ice. Most of the time over it. The most scared I have been is when the ice on the river was so flat and smooth that I thought the 40ish mph wind that was shooting down the valley was going to deposit me in town. When you know the river is open just take some shared waiders for a 1/2 mile and throw them across the section of river to your partners after you cross and then leave them there for when you return.
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WallMan
Trad climber
Denver, CO
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Jan 28, 2011 - 02:26pm PT
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Mike - hey - I think we met you at Devils Tower last year over Labor Day weekend. I will contact you off line.
Wally - one of the "Colorado" climbers.
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wbw
climber
'cross the great divide
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Topic Author's Reply - Jan 28, 2011 - 05:34pm PT
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Flying H Ranch and Outfitters:
598 Hunter Creek Road
flyinghranch@dishmail.net
Mike, drowning was not my concern when I walked across the South Fork on very thin ice. Getting soaked in very cold temperatures, on the other hand seemed like something best to avoid.
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mike m
Trad climber
black hills
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Jan 28, 2011 - 06:05pm PT
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Walking through that river in Sandals in December with the wind howling is something I will never forget! It really should be on everyones bucket list. Thanks for the info and great trip report.
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bugler
Ice climber
earth
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Jan 30, 2011 - 11:12am PT
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Bear spray better than a gun. That is comical. Ever climbed in the South Fork without wind?? Avoidance will always be the most effective tactic but, if that doesn't work bear spray has no "noise factor" or "knock down power" so, do you really want to spray yourself in the eyes with burning pepper spray. If bears could speak they'd say "thanks for rendering yourself useless while I eat you". I am hardly recommending shooting them either. The noise is a better deterrent.
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philo
Trad climber
Somewhere halfway over the rainbow
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Climbing Bump
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ms55401
Trad climber
minneapolis, mn
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Nov 26, 2012 - 07:58pm PT
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ice climbing season bump
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WyoRockMan
climber
Grizzlyville, WY
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Nov 24, 2017 - 08:27pm PT
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RIP Early season Southfork.
All these elusive gems made a brief visit before melting away.
Alex Lowe's Mean Streak saw its 3rd ever ascent. Legal at Last (another AL route) got rare "all ice" ascents as well.
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