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Shoulder Season: Rockies ice is forming

The Canadian Rockies are home to some of the world’s most famous ice routes. A warm fall has postponed many of the early routes from forming on schedule.

Many climbers have headed south for the fall shoulder season, in search of warmer temps. There are always a dedicated group who wait for the first ice. The drytooling crag named The Playground reportedly had two dozen parties scratching their way up the pegboard stone. on the weekend.

Ascent of Man Yoga

Gripped gear editor Rafal Andronowski and hardwoman Michelle Kadatz hiked into the Stanley Headwall for a look. They jumped on the now-famous Man Yoga and found thin ice with patchy snow.

As Kadatz reported, “Bottom pitches are good to go with lots of light ice and snow. Upper pitch forming. Ice growing so fast you can see the difference in six hours. Lots of stuff setting up nicely on the Stanley Headwall, needs another week or so of these amazing temps we are getting.”

Stay up-to-date on conditions by following Gravsports Ice

Rockies classics

Cascade Falls

Professor Falls

Polar Circus

Michelle Kadatz on Man Yoga Oct. 2014  Photo Rafal Andronowski
Michelle Kadatz on Man Yoga Oct. 2014 Photo Rafal Andronowski

 

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