http://www.climbinglife.com/

JPFreek - Index

JPFreek - Spring 2008 - Index

final pitch up vertical WI4 ice in perfect style. We knew we had
the route under our belts at this point and enjoyed the climbing
up to the exit into an adjacent talus slope for the descent.
All Mixed Up was our favorite route of the weekend, providing
more ice climbing than the previous route on Notchtop plus less
of a hike in and out. We made the descent and were back at
camp right after noon to pack up and head out. It was amazing
to look up and see the ground we had covered in just a few
hours as we headed back to the trailhead.
Rocky Mountain National Park is a true winter playground with
a fraction of the people you experience during the busy summer
season. The conditions were great and the climbing was
extraordinary for a long weekend in the high country. I can
definitely recommend this trip for anyone who is comfortable
leading a moderate alpine route with mixed snow and ice. The
approaches are straight forward and the climbing is solid WI 3+.
We used a mixed rack of cams and screws with plenty of
webbing and cord-a-let for anchors and protection. Throughout
both routes the belay locations are easy to find and plenty of
opportunities exist in the rock and ice for solid anchors. Just
don’t forget to have fun and enjoy the exposure. These climbs
are perfect introductions into the world of alpine
mountaineering routes and provide a lot of practice for
techniques that are used on some of the more advanced climbs
in the park.
Remember that technical climbing is a dangerous activity and
appropriate training and gear is required to provide a safe and
enjoyable adventure. A great website for reference of these
climbs and others is www.climbinglife.com hosted by an
experienced and trained mountain guide residing in Estes Park.