Went ice climbing on Mt Baker this weeked (56k, go away)

So I went to the Roosevelt Glacier on Mt Baker this past weekend to learn how to ice climb. Long story short, ice climbing is A LOT more fun than I expected. And a lot easier as well.

Ice climbing is so bad ass. The ice tools gave me such a feeling of power and control.


The area, looking North (Canada)
The glacier may look soft, but it's solid ice. We had to wear crampons to keep from slipping.
http://students.washington.edu/leprakon/dtm-af/baker-ice09.jpg


The area, looking South (Mt Baker)
You're basically looking at melted out crevasses. The 'dirt' area on the right side is actually SOLID ICE covered by THIN layer of dirt and rocks.
http://students.washington.edu/leprakon/dtm-af/baker-ice10.jpg


Me. Hero pose. :cool:
http://students.washington.edu/leprakon/dtm-af/baker-ice01.jpg
http://students.washington.edu/leprakon/dtm-af/baker-ice02.jpg


The group. Saturday was the area shown here. Sunday was up higher where the 2nd guy from the top is.
http://students.washington.edu/leprakon/dtm-af/baker-ice04.jpg


This is my V-anchor. A climber's life depends on this. Basically you drill 2 holes so they meet, feed a runner through one end, pull it out from the other, and clip in for dear life! You'd be AMAZED how strong this anchor is. I would definitely trust my life with it.
http://students.washington.edu/leprakon/dtm-af/baker-ice03.jpg


Me 'bouldering' 5 ft off the ground.
http://students.washington.edu/leprakon/dtm-af/baker-ice05.jpg


Cal belaying
http://students.washington.edu/leprakon/dtm-af/baker-ice06.jpg


Ben and Tom at the top setting up the anchor. This was a great fun climb. Just hard enough for us beginners. This is the area mentioned in the other pic.
http://students.washington.edu/leprakon/dtm-af/baker-ice07.jpg


Cal climbing
http://students.washington.edu/leprakon/dtm-af/baker-ice08.jpg

that rocks! love the pictures do you have any high res pics of the Glacier that would make good backgrounds that you could send me?

hey if your ever in alberta give me a shout, Ill go climbing with you any time. Theres some killer walls near Hinton

:thumbsup: Nice one!

that rocks! love the pictures do you have any high res pics of the Glacier that would make good backgrounds that you could send me?
Which ones do you want?

edited the title to include 56k warning.


looks like alot of fun man! wish i lived near a glacier.

you sure do seem to get out. Austrailia, and now ice climbing. what's next?

http://students.washington.edu/leprakon/dtm-af/baker-ice03.jpg

I'm not sure you intended for this to be a macro. But i have to say it turned out quite nicely. :p

:repost:

Well it is.

Hey great pics man!! It looks like you had a good time up there. :thumbsup:

Its clearly photoshoped.......



























Just J/k :biggrin: I looks awesome

Looks like a fun weekend! Beautiful pictures man. I definitely need to get out more... :frown:

Ill throw up my pic of me ice climbing too, I just dont have any nice scenery in the background
http://ghostguy6.mypicgallery.com/ghostguy6me/picture-002.jpg
And me just hanging out
http://ghostguy6.mypicgallery.com/ghostguy6me/picture-016.jpg

Wow, where is that?

^ Norgegg Alberta

http://ghostguy6.mypicgallery.com/climingmixup/climbing.jpg
That wouldnt be an unbuckled leg loop on that harness would it? :eek7: :nono: and the belayer does NOT have his hand on the runner end of the rope, a very dangerous situation given he is only using an ATC, I certainly hope he wasnt belaying a live load :eek7: :eek7: :nono: