This article may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I will earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks!Mount Whitney is the highest peak in the continental United States, and the East Buttress route is considered an absolute classic. When the opportunity presented itself for unexpectedly climbing Mount Whitney, I couldn’t resist. …
Climbing San Jacinto and Cornell Peak in Southern California
An ice climbing buddy from Ouray reached out to me about doing some peak bagging as I made my way to settle down in Joshua Tree National Park. Colin was back living in San Diego and suggested we make a day trip out in the Mount San Jacinto Wilderness to go climbing San Jacinto and Cornell Peak which towers 10,000 …
Last Days in Ouray, Colorado – Camp Bird, First Blood, and Stitches
Before this season in Ouray, Colorado; I had gone from climbing ice on just a handful of occasions (maybe around 15 days total), to climbing ice five or six times a week over the course of six or seven weeks. I was typically climbing about 3 days on, one day off, or some variation of that rotation. I was able …
Ice Leader’s Seminar with San Juan Mountain Guides
I decided to do a double down with ice instruction, so to speak, and after my 1:1 course with Mark Miller where we dialed in technique on the steep stuff, I followed it up with San Juan Mountain Guide’s 4-day Leader’s Seminar, which also was with Mark Miller. A total of seven days over two weeks with the foremost ice …
Becoming a Better Ice Climber: Improving Form and Technique
UPDATE: Tragically, on January 30th, 2015 Mark Miller died in a climbing accident in Silverton, Colorado. Mark was a great guy, excellent instructor, and no doubt will be missed by many. My thoughts go out to his friends and family and those that knew him. “Get me a Korean … any Korean!” That was the eye-catching title of an old …
Ouray Mixed Climbing with the Potomac Mountain Club
I continued climbing with members of the Potomac Mountain Club who were in town for their annual trip to the Ouray Ice Park. All in all, there might have been about 10 people who came through from the club. It was good to see some old familiar faces, as well as meet a few that I hadn’t seen before. We …
Backcountry Ice – Climbing Dexter Creek Slabs in Ouray
After Sameer’s departure, I continued climbing with Justin and Jason–the early arrivals from the DC group. Tuesday morning we just happened to connect with John and Jim from Salt Lake City when we were all climbing around one another in the School Room in the Ice Park. They let us in on their plan to get on some backcountry, multipitch …
Second Week of Ice Climbing in Ouray, Colorado
Following the Ouray Ice Festival the crowds disappeared, though the bitter cold remained. This weather was beginning to feel more reminiscent of the screaming barfies inducing New Hampshire ice climbing scene. This 30+ degree F climbing and easy accessibility of the Ice Park had been making me soft! Well, at least I could finally use some more of my toe …