12 Rad February Ice Climbing Photos from Canada

The cold weather has held on in most of Canada and climbers continue to top-out classics and climb new routes. The Pacific and Atlantic coasts have had exceptionally cold weather. Chamonix mountain guide Jeff Mercier is in Quebec climbing. Jon Walsh and Michelle Kadatz from Calgary are now in Newfoundland climbing. Jia Condon and partners climbed another new ice route near Squamish. And the Rockies have line ups on climbs.

Over the past few weeks, discussions about ice climbing safety have been popular on social media forums. The two main points are that ice climbers should wear beacons in avalanche areas and that climbers should limit the time they climb beneath others. If you climb ice often, then you have likely seen the conversations circling around. Be safe out there and have fun. Below are 12 ice shots from across Canada from the past two weeks.

Seeking shelter from the storm by cragging in the woods in Gros Morne. Lots of new route potential everywhere, for both steep pillars and trad mixed lines like the one in this photo. Good ice + good granite = good times! @arcteryx @scarpana @onwardup_official

A post shared by Jon Walsh (@jon.walsh) on Feb 16, 2017 at 4:21pm PST

Squeaked out one more FA last week with @jason_kruk @jas_amm @sebasalpine . What a great run it was. Thanks to my beautiful wife for her patience and all my cohorts for the #stoke #seatoskygondola #squamish @metoliusclimbing #seatosky #iceclimbing #explorebc @arcteryx

A post shared by Jia Condon (@jiacondon) on Feb 15, 2017 at 7:32am PST

Probably one of the most interesting feature I've climb this year. Here is @higher.steeper.better Leading some ice over open water last saturday. Chutes Larose / Falls Québec #grippedmagazine #reelrock #blackdiamond #petzl_official #mountaincultureelevated #quebeccity #quebec #climbing #climber #iceclimbing #climbing_is_my_passion #climbing_pictures_of_instagram #climbing_worldwide #rockandice #liveclimbrepeat #doyouclimb #climbingmagazine #climbingisbliss #redbullillume #canada #canadiancreatives #mecnation #escalade #mec #adventurethatislife

A post shared by Nelson Rioux (@nelsonriouxphotographs) on Feb 15, 2017 at 2:59pm PST

Another fine day out in the hills with the #HOD. Yea!!! ?? ? @fotoscoolgram_

A post shared by Anna Pfaff (@pfaff_anna) on Feb 13, 2017 at 6:54pm PST

Plan A was Weeping Wall. Avalanche and road conditions shut that one down. Plan B was the afternoon shift on Louise Falls…seems 18 others had a similar idea! Not to mention the 2 other parties we passed on the way out. On to Plan C! #iceclimbing #lineup #impatient #toomanyclimbers #avalancheconditionssuck #notgivingup

A post shared by Lyndsay Houston (@houston.lyndsay) on Feb 11, 2017 at 11:35am PST

One more photo from yesterday before heading off to Iceland – Daniel mounting the monster dagger on Metamorphosis, M10+. It was pretty creaky, but oh so good! We both made a lot of progress on the line yesterday, and had some interesting chats on the variable nature of mixed lines; always in good company with Dan ☺l. #iceclimbing #soicefest #grippedmagazine #northeastice

A post shared by Peter Hoang (@pete.hoang) on Feb 5, 2017 at 2:33pm PST

@pascale.marceau races the sun down ‘Circus Circus’ on Mt. Hunter. This climb does not form often, this year it is in and fat so has been very popular. With the recent high avalanche risk the protected Circus is even more busy. None of us had climbed it so we were happy to wait for our turn. We didn’t end up starting up until later in the day, but the up side was enjoying the evening light as we rapped.

A post shared by •Climb•Ski•Repeat• (@brycebrownimages) on Feb 16, 2017 at 7:14am PST

Sarah having some Mfun+ on Mt Stephen in the #canadianrockies. #power #grace and a #hellagoodtime to #climb with. @petzl_official @patagonia_climb @onwardup_official @travelalberta

A post shared by Rob Owens (@robkowens) on Feb 16, 2017 at 8:15am PST

@jon.walsh on the route Traditional Ale to the right of Pilsner Pillar, a fun looking WI5 M6. Jon always encourages me to get a variety of shots and to change it up, so I added in a foreground element to this shot. What do you think?

A post shared by Climbing and Real Estate (@timbanfield) on Feb 10, 2017 at 6:51am PST

Happy in the heart on days like this. ❤The best part about going climbing with super paul is that he picks the right venue for the weather! Can't beat basking in the sun watching Ian crush his lead with fruit boots and petzl cordex gloves in -14C. Beastly…… Malignant mushroom is 55m of fun WI5 ice and in cruisy condition. A few gnarly mushrooms on the right but can be avoided, the left side is wet and boot sinking unstable. A recommend visit for a fast day. ?? She's got a short approach from the park boundary and the Ghost didn't seem to get the heavy snowfall that the local areas got. ??? thanks for an awesome day @paulmasiar and @ian.lewis.ca ? #yupthatwasfun

A post shared by Reina Hasumi (@reinahasumi) on Feb 5, 2017 at 9:00am PST

Sketchy hanging ice made us get creative with a bomber #hangingbelay with @chinchew11. We got a #firstascent of #mcginnisfalls in the #monkmancascades #monkmanprovincialpark. Photo cred to @benbrochu

A post shared by Ryan (@iceandfire43) on Feb 11, 2017 at 7:13pm PST

This place always seems to deliver as an excellent plan B: Cap-à-l'Aigle near La Malbaie. After checking the tide charts, it's time for some steep sea-side ice climbing. Here @charlesroberge take on a moderately steep line, especially compared to some of the very skinny, tall pillars there!

A post shared by Maarten van Haeren (@mvanhaeren) on Feb 7, 2017 at 7:59pm PST