Ice Climbing Above Jewel Lake, RMNP
(Thanks to Josh B. for the great picture!)
Last year, I had so much fun climbing the Skywalker Couloir on Arapaho Peak, it made me want to do more snow climbs this winter/spring. In order to feel more confident on my crampons and improve on the steep sections, I thought I’d take an ice climbing class.
I admit, it may be a bit overkill, but if I’m climbing a steep couloir and encounter a band of ice, I will know how to climb it! Being prepared, and understanding the concepts of steep ice, will give me the knowledge to better handle the risks. At least I will know what I don’t know!
Thanks to Kent Crites, of the Boulder CMC, for teaching ice climbing and to the assistant instructors Melissa, Doug, and James for volunteering and helping us newbies!
Doug O. took this fantastic panorama of Mills Lake!
