Loch Vale (1)
Statistics
- Date - 12/22/2007
- Elevation - 10,200'
- Route - Various
- Miles - 4.0
- Elevation Gain - 1,000'
- ACME Mapper - Link
- CalTopo - Link
- Partners - Brian Kooienga
Description
Despite the terrible forecast, Brian and I went to Rocky Mountain National Park to check out the Loch Vale ice climbing area. Not only was it very cold, there wasn't much ice and it was fairly thin. We each led Mo' Flo' Than Go and thought it was moderately easy and too short. We then top roped Crystal Meth and the Spiral Route for a couple of runs. The ice was thin and brittle and the weather remained very cold. It didn't take long before we were pumped out and hiked back to the Glacier Gorge Trailhead. Even with higher temperatures, I thought Loch Vale was a bust. There wasn't much ice and the routes are short, so considering the two mile approach I didn't think it was worth it. We could have gotten on some mixed lines but weren't real interested because of the cold so we just called it a day.
Photos
Mo' Flo' Than Go
Crystal Meth/Spiral Route
Crystal Meth/Spiral Route
Thatchtop Mountain
Glacier Gorge Trail