Ice Climbers at Chappel Pond, Adirondacks NY

[Bart Carrig]

Just before meeting Dean for our winter outing, I stopped at Chappel Pond, which is now frozen, and easier to access. Caught some climbers just above the "belly button" of the image.

Bart

 

[AlanLichty]

Good thing one of the climbers has a bright colored jacket on so we can pick them out. That's a lot of ice on that hillside - is there normally a water flow over there or is this just from snow melt above this spot?

 

[Bart Carrig]

It's just flow from the top, and very sudden freezes. I copied this from one of the descriptions:

"Exposed and unpredictable in 1936 it was one of the nations most significant step-cutting alpine routes. In 1969, it saw the unveiling of Yvon Chouinard's new steeply drooped ice axes. Even with todays new gear the slab is a risky outing. Protection and belay anchor quality can be fickle. Avalanches routinely drop from the upper slopes and have taken parties to the ground. Water pressure can be released from under the ice with serious consequences and happens often on the slabs. This is some of the best easy-moderate ice in the area but involves a great commitment on the short winter days."

bart

 

[Jameel Hyder]

Nice contrast of the white of snow and ice and the foliage.

 

[Ben Egbert]

Great show.

 

[JimFox]

Wow, that's really amazing Bart. A great shot of it.

I can't imagine that being really safe at all. I wouldn't mind trying ice climbing say in Ouray Colorado where you are on real thick ice flows. This? Man, no way I would even think of it.

 

[Douglas Sherman]

Very nice but scary image, Bart.

 

[lionking]

WOW, that scale addition is just amazing, very powerful.