Duane Raleigh and Jeff Jackson from Rock & Ice have been dropping bolts into sketchy slabs linked by thin ice sheets near Redstone. The result is a style of mixed climbing that delivers the best of all worlds -- thin ice for spice, slabs that feel like 5.12, and overhanging power moves. They are fleeting routes and I got lucky enough to get in on them early last year. With the lack of snow in CO, it looks like nothing will form this winter on this wall, but keep an eye on conditions for future seasons because these are really some of the most unique mixed climbs in the West!
Note: I mention I hate a ledge in the video ... that's because the week before this video was shot, I took a 35 footer while manteling over the ice lip. My tool popped in the lousy dry ice as I was preparing to clip and I smoked the slab sideways about 15 feet off the deck. Once I knew I was fine, I was pissed and wanted redemption.
ah yeah jesse, amazing that you can stick to such thin ice!
piz : )
Posted by: piz : ) | February 02, 2012 at 02:24 PM
Awesome Jesse, nice send! Aren't those ice tools radical. Check out the rare line some of us at Sierra Mountain Guides climbed this dry California Winter... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOip5OWDCiI&feature=player_embedded
Side by side comparison proved the Cassin X-All Mountain out performed the BD Fusion in every way- on thin and thick ice, mixed, swing feel, and most noticeably, efficiency on a longer route. Looks like you are proving there is no limit to what these babies can do.
Cheers,
Howie Schwartz
Sierra Mountain Guides
www.sierramtnguides.com
Posted by: Howie Schwartz | February 02, 2012 at 04:26 PM