Quick Canyon Climbing

Now that I live in Eagle River, Eklutna canyon is only 10 minutes away, its hard not to take the quick and easy approach....if you climb all the lines it adds up.

Caitlin Rappelling Annie Greensprings

Caitlin wanted to try leading, and Boonesfarm is about the best first lead out there.  She cruised it.

 

And a quick session on TJ Swann ended the afternoon.

 

Checking up on Conditions: Eklutna Canyon and Hatcher Pass

Things are still growing in Eklutna canyon, the warm spell was good for some of the ice back there.

TJ Swann

 

Looking Down Boones Farm

 

After my quick canyon tour I met up with my friend Rapheal with the intentions of going up the Hillside Pillars. A scouting trip up the road showed a large cornice and rather snowy filled upper bowl that has not slid this season. The ice looked unchanged since our last visit, and the lurking cornice in the sun above a snow filled bowl clearly presented a hazard...we walked up to the mine instead.

 

 

Eklutna Canyon

Ry and I got to the Canyon at 5pm, and I'm now convinced that's the perfect time to show up. There were 3 different parties leaving as we were walking in. Ry wanted to check out the new dry tool route at the end of the canyon. It looked fun, but we decided not to do it.

The Dam

The sun was hitting Annie Greensprings as we walked up to it. I won the rosh, the rock has been crushing my opponents lately!

Annie Greensprings

I'm always surprised at how steep the middle line is. This climb always looks way more mellow than it is.

Boonesfarm is still huge, and kind of like a ladder. It was hilarious how many ice screw holes there were on certain ledges, lots of people have been climbing it. We also threw a top rope on Maddog on the way out. The right line is pretty thin, and the left line had a super crusty, hollow, skinny pillar coming down. Super fun climbing.

Girls Gone Wild

There is nothing more I love about climbing, than hanging out with good friends. I laughed so much yesterday...It was a pretty monumentous occasion because my crazy friend Kellie graced me with her presence. At first I thought the snow had for sure gone to shit, because she is an "extreme" skier, and pretty much skis every single day she can....so for her to come climbing with me and Lynn was pretty special.
Then Lynn, I think, opened up a new chapter in her life of climbing....she roshed for a steep lead! That may not sound like much, but it was HUGE. And of course fate deemed her worthy to win...I think I finally can relate to the pride a parent feels....I was so proud of her, she looked up at the line, was super nervous, and gave it her all. She did so good. Leading is hard, especially your first 100 times, but she crushed it!

Lynn Leading Annie Greensprings

 

Three Cute Girls in One Canyon

 

The Man Cave

 

Lots more pictures

Elutna Canyon with Lynn and Kellie 2008_03_08