Well not too much has changed out in Lee Vining since last weekend… except for the amount of CRUSHING! I just had 4 days of ice guiding out in the canyon with 3 different parties. It was some of the most fun I’ve had guiding. Everyone showed up ready to kick ass and it was a complete blast! The conditions may have had a little to do with that, so let’s dive into it. Febuary 18th-19th: I had 4 stoked …
Eastern Sierra Ice Report // Lee Vining Canyon // Feb 13-14
Well it has been a heck of a weekend out in Lee Vining Canyon. I had four spectacular guests for an Ice 101 program and everyone totally rocked! Saturday- February 13th, 2021 Saturday morning we broke trail up to the Chouinards Wall in Lee Vining Canyon, which had already been filled back in from the previous day’s climbers. (Thanks for all the beta Forrest and Elise!) We employed snowshoes and let me tell you, it was a life saver! Even …
Easter Sierra Ice Report // February 6th, 2021 // Horsetail Falls UPDATE
Well, we definitely got JanuBURIED last week and I’m just now making my way back out to our ice venues here in the Eastern Sierra. Avalanche hazards were a big concern the weekend after the storm, but things have started to mellow out a bit. But be aware we still have some lingering “dragons” out in the Eastern Sierra Backcountry! Keep up with the Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center bulletins and make sure you are staying tuned in to the local …
Eastern Sierra Ice Report // January 23-24
How’s it going everyone? Hope you all have been enjoying the winter season so far and if you have had the chance to ice climb out here yet, you probably have seen that things are pretty fun! Here’s a quick update from this past weekend out in LVC and a few photos of the June Lake ice as well. Be aware that there is a massive storm forecasted to hit this Wednesday which will change conditions dramatically! LVC Update (January …
Eastern Sierra Ice Report UPDATE // January 9th, 10th and 11th.
Hope everyone has had a good start to 2021! I just wanted to drop in a little update for the LVC and June Lake areas. I was out in LVC this past Saturday (January 9, 2021) with a group and we had a really nice time on the Chouinards Wall. We had another guide out in the June Lake area today and here’s what we saw: Lee Vining Canyon UPDATE (January 9th and 10th) Approach: Overall tame, if you choose …
Eastern Sierra Ice Report: 12.31.20 // Good bye 2020!
Disclaimer: By reading this ice report you understand and accept ice climbing is a dangerous activity requiring significant skill and experience. This report is for reference only and does not erase personal responsibility for your own actions and decision making. Happy New Years Eve! I hope everyone is ready to get 2020 done and over with! Just a few updates for our Eastern Sierra ice climbing venues to report. First, the ice is still out there and it’s getting better. …
Eastern Sierra Ice Report: 12.10.20 // It’s not half good!
Hello everyone! What a strange year it has been, and while Covid-19 is making its biggest surge yet in California, it has not stopped the ice from flowing! That’s right, there is ice and it’s not half good. Yes you heard that correctly. There is ice but it’s only half good. I’ve been out a couple days this season so far, one yesterday out to Lee Vining Canyon, and another day out to Lundy Canyon. And while there is climbable …
Ice Report Feb 13, 2020
How’s it going Sierra Ice Climbers?! I was just out for a few days of ice climbing this past week and weekend and here is a quick update on what things have been like out there. Thursday (Feb 6) I hiked out to LVC on a very nice boot pack which made the approach a breeze and surprisingly there is still a lot of climbable ice up there! Chouinard’s has nice fat ice through the middle sections with the outer …
Lee Vining Ice Conditions Update Jan 23rd, 2020
Hey all, I have been out climbing in LV the last three days- the climbing has been interesting and fun. However, yesterday on the Main Wall (specifically) the flows were climbing like it was Spring time. At one point I could push screws in. It was basically raining on us. Things are getting thin out there, but still climbable. Chouinards climbing fun. Definitely “hero” ice but getting better screws. There are two paths: one going up to Main Wall and …
Eastern Sierra: Lee Vining After Jan 16, 2020 Storm
Hey All, I went in yesterday, Jan 17th to put in a track with snowshoes after the storm. I recommend snowshoes, but it will be a packed down track for boots soon, I’m sure. Climbs still look in good shape. Road is plowed. Happy Climbing!
Eastern Sierra Ice Report- Jan 5th
Hello Ice Climbers, I wanted to update everyone on the hiking conditions and the routes. Hike in is packed down- I have been walking in with crampons which helps with the firm snow in the mornings and I have been hiking back down in them as well. You can get away with just walking in, but its been nice having a little extra security. Micro spikes could be a good option too. Main Wall- I climbed the Center Flow yesterday. It …
Eastern Sierra Ice Report – Dec. 28, 2019
ICE, ICE BABY! To my fellow ice climbers: First off, the road into Poole Plant is driving well, packed down. Make sure to park smart for others to get a spot too. The trail has been redirected across the creek- you will go over it twice, but in great shape. You will want snowshoes to travel into the canyon. The trail in packed down and good to go. The Main Wall Is still looking thin, however, the Center Flow is …