Friday, January 17, 2014

Lemonade From Lemons!


In N Idaho it is feeling early spring/late fall outside not wintery that's for sure! So what's a guy to do bouldering at Tubbs Hill is a good option to fill in the gaps between out of town trips to the ice. Actually I get out and boulder there quite a bit this time of year. It's the best time due in part to the low lake level there are a lot of fun problems that only show their face during the winter. So a pebble wrestling I will go. 
Besides its hard to beat the views!

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Libby Road Cut/Road Side Ice

Libby road ice this year is/was (not sure if going to last much longer with this weather!) super fat! Got to do the standard stuff at the road cut, the natural line up the road which is always fun and a fun little mixed road cut line. First rule of  N Idaho climbing get after it while it's in! 
Mixed line at road cut a good little ditty!
Natural line up the road always fun!

Road Side Ice NW Montana Style!

Decided to I better get out last Sunday and get over to Libby area to climb before the ice melts. Man this warm weather we have been experiencing sure is the pits! What's a N Idaho ice climber to do? Get the goods while the gettings good! There's a short line up the Yaak River that I wanted to climb this year it came in. I got a chance to climb the right side earlier but wanted to get back and do the steeper left side. I got my chance fun little line and you can drive right to the base! 

1-12-14 
12-29-13

Monday, January 13, 2014

Ice season is in full swing! You sure couldn't tell by north Idaho's weather!

It is winter heck we are only half way thru January yet if you look outside today you think it's early spring. Not so good for local ice of which even in the best of years is a short lived creature around these parts. Yet if your patient and persistent a local ice climber can actually find some pretty nice day trip "local ice" in a more normal winter. This season has been odd couple of short cold snaps followed by warm rainy weather. Heck I'm going to throw the shoes, chalk bag and pad in my truck and do some bouldering tomorrow. Despite the weather funk I've managed to get in some great climbs. With the best climbing at Banks this season. Banks is a  unique ice climbing area with some amazing climbs it is either loved or hated by ice climbers. It's Banksy is how we refer to its funky ice and weird sometimes brushy top outs but if a climber perseveres some great challenging climbing can be had. My love affair with the area grows every time I get out there!  The saying goes "if you can lead ice at Banks you can lead anywhere". 
Getting my Banks on H2O2 1-10-14