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Spiral Staircase (3)/The Pencil (1)

Statistics

  • Date - 12/23/2007
  • Elevation - 8,800'
  • Route - Spiral Staircase/The Pencil
  • Miles - 1.0
  • Elevation Gain - 500'
  • ACME Mapper - Link
  • CalTopo - Link
  • Partners - George Barnes

Description

George and I went back to Vail, Colorado, to climb The Pencil.  The wind and blowing snow on the interstate was strong and the weather was bad, but it ended up being relatively nice in Vail, Colorado.  We didn't see another ice climber all day on a weekend.  George led the Spiral Staircase and then brought me up.  We then scrambled up to the cave where The Pencil and The Eraser form.  A third pillar had also touched down between the two that normally form.  We top-roped The Pencil and made a couple of runs.  We took a break in the cave to eat and drink and practice making V-threads on an ice bulge.  We made a couple more laps, rapped down the Spiral Staircase, and took a ride down the alpine slide for a quick descent.  The beer was once again cold and traffic wasn't too bad.

Photos

Spiral StaircaseThe PencilThe PencilJamesJamesGeorgeCaveIciclesGeorge taking a break.DescentGeorgeThe Pencil and the EraserVail IceSpiral Staircase and The Pencil