The ice climbing conditions in the San Juan’s are excellent for this time of the year. We have had colder temps this late autumn and a steady cycle of storms to coat the backcountry in powder. Recently, Kevin and I sampled the local classic Dexter Falls. We may have even been the first party on it this season; the ice showed no evidence of previous traffic and was super sticky.
Late last week, Rigging for Rescue conducted a 2-day workshop for the Ouray Ice Park ice farmers. We focused on work at height risk management considerations, a variety of descent/ascent systems for use with equipment, and a number of companion rescue scenarios for rescuing a fellow worker (or climber) while on rope. Check out the conditions in the Ouray Ice Park – a very good start to the ice making this year.
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| Climber pickoff |
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| Practicing personal on-rope systems in the Ouray Ice Park |
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| Swinging leads on Dexter Falls |
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| On lead on Dexter |
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| Sticky ice on the final pitch – Dexter Falls |
