Saturday, November 2, 2013

Rod & Gun Club (Ice Climbing Part 1)

... part 2, actually (see Layton Falls)...

... November 2nd and the people could be out ice climbing within a few weeks - have climbed in these hills as early as Thanksgiving day a time or two over the years - then again, have paddled wearing shorts (more often) as well - it is what it is - watched the local "expert" winter weather forecast last night on TV - other than February, wasn't real promising if ya' like cold and snow - we shall see...

... anyway - figured we'd post some ice climbing to "stoke things up"...

... the 'Rod & Gun Club' and 'Irishtown' were the "big" areas in these parts for years, until Tim Anderson first sunk (sank? - or maybe sinked!) an ice tool into the big local quarries - so - pulled out a few photos from the 'Gun Club' to start...

... Tim (climbing) with Montana climber Matt McCune, around 2001 - if it's cold enough to form ice, these two routes - 'NRA' and 'Cave Shot' - will be in...

... same guys - Tim this time on 'Cave Shot' - 'NRA' right - both around Grade 4 to 4+ depending upon conditions...

... Matt McCune...

... and "alternate perspective"...

... here's an early ascent - nearing "top-out" - probably '84 or '86 - the guy climbing said that he had just purchased a new 'Forrest Mjollnir Alpine Hammer' - first use this day - snapped the (brand new) pick just prior while getting in a "top-rope" warm-up - switched to a 'Lowe Hummingbird Hammer' to start this route - snapped the 'tubular pick' probably three sticks off the ground - bad omens? - finished the route with fixed head 'Forrest Sabre Serac' tools (hammer/axe) which didn't stick in brittle ice for "sh*t" - not knocking either of these legendary tool makers - just the way it was back then - still get a "cringe"  even today when we see climbers forcibly "rocking and levering" stuck picks - and no way you'd do the mixed stuff now'days with the old tools... people and things just keep improving - Good!!... by the way - 'Forrest' replaced the pick with free backup - no questions asked (RIP, Bill)...

... here's Tim (climbing) and Tom Koppler during the big '03 - '04 season - solid ice wall to wall - check out the website Cinema page - lots of video...

... here's a few shots from last winter - don't recall who the climbers are - were visiting with Tim - lousy winter - but some decent mixed conditions "none-the-less"...

... with a difficult-looking small roof 'ta boot...

... cool!!...

... and second ascent (on lead) of 'Internet Connection' as well this day...

... was out a few years back at dusk, checking out conditions - snapped this photo - always liked the "glare" of the flash illuminating the snowflakes...

... anyway - lots of available stuff regarding SWPA ice climbing - Tim's is the best - http://climbpa.blogspot.com/ - also check out our website - lots of video to view when it comes to ice - also - check out 'Griz Guide's (updated) Ice Climbing Pennsylvania' guidebook  
(http://grizguides.com/iceguide.php) - order online or stop in at 'Exkursion' (http://www.exkursion.com/) in Monroeville, PA and buy a copy from 'Fred'...

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