Lots of Snow in Eagle River Valley

I was expecting a lot of snow out in Eagle River, but I was still surprised by its depth. The ski in was awesome, all the underbrush around the climbs is buried deep. Three Ring circus looked more like a ski run than an ice climb. There wasn't a whole lot sticking out around Hollow Icicle either, so we bee lined to the blue ice on Spruce Pitch.

A Buried Three Ring Circus

The Route Next to Spruce Pitch

Usually the route next to Spruce Pitch is super steep and fun, but it formed up a little different this year, and there were funky bulges on top of the detached hanging pillars...We debated the top-rope but in the end just ran laps on Spruce Pitch.

Ryan Leading Spruce Pitch

Ryan and I Leaving

A nice day out in a pretty area....probably won't be back till next year!

Eagle River Valley

Super fun day out top-roping steep ice that I was happy to not be leading. Great company with Ry, George Anne and Andrew. The skiing back to Echo Bend was super cruiser and hard packed. The air was cold in the bottom of the valley, but warmed up at least 10 degrees at the base of the climbs.

Skiing up the River

 

The Hurdy Gurdy Routes

 

Route Next to Spruce Pitch

 

Great Friends

 

Echo Bend Eagle River

It was freezing out as Lynn and I left the Eagle River Nature Center. The trees in the valley were coated with a thick layer of frost. Quickly the hair sticking out from our hats became as frosted as the trees.

Lynn's Frostiness




We were going to try and do three ring circus, but it looked more like a snow wallow than an ice climb. Spruce Pitch is always a good back up plan, so we made a trench thru waist deep snow there instead.

Lynn Leading Spruce Pitch



To the left of Spruce Pitch is another climb that rarely touches down, and it was thin and steep.

Lynn Climbing Steep Ice

Spruce Pitch

The Eagle River valley was in fine shape yesterday. Lots of ice in the area. We ended up climbing spruce pitch. It was fun. Hollow Icicle looked spicy, and Three Ring Circus looked cruiser.

David Climbing

 

David and I

 

The beautiful Eagle River Valley

 

This is my Picassa Link if you want to check out more pictures

Spruce Pitch