The Sick-le (Ice Climbing Part 6)

... personally considered the most impressive and outrageous ice climb located up at the 'Secret Cliffs' - and that's saying something - around 80ft of very steep mixed rock and ice climbing before reaching an airy and long step out on to a 20ft free hanging "dagger" suspended precariously from the top of the cliff overhang - first climbed by Tim Anderson back around '06 (Grade 5/M5) - TR ascent - remains the only ascent to date - hasn't formed or formed sufficiently enough since then to attempt (safely, without risk of certain death) a free ascent - we captured the first ascent on video - the film short, 'The Sick-le', has been up on the web site for a long time now - we have a later free attempt by Tim, including the total collapse of that thing (impressive), completed as a film short - will eventually post it up on the web site as well...

... lone climber and the wall expanse - the 'Sick-le' is the near "dagger' with the rope trailing...

... climber working his way up the lower wall...

... the ominous 'Sick-le' looming above...

... higher up - nearing the good rest shelf and the airy transition...

... that's a long stretch to get out on to that thing - just prior to this shot he bungled the transition and took an airy swing...

... "the deadest of winter"...

... is what we guess you could call this weekend - and "old fashioned" 'ta boot - really been gettin' barraged with the snow squalls and cold temperatures - brilliant - people are ridin' snowmobiles around the "hood" - haven't seen that in a long time...

... here's the 'Gun Club Wall' from yesterday afternoon (following photos as well) - not bad, but not real great - kind of thin - wasn't a whole lot of water flowing, either - an abrupt, freezing "cold snap" with little daytime thaw and low humidity will most often "shut off the tap"...

 

... the nearby 'Yough River' - frozen and 'ice-dammed'...

... ditto...

... 'Laurel Run'...

... great time of year which doesn't happen enough - can't figure out why all the "weathermen" now-days' continually try to condition "the people" that winter is a "cruel mistake"...

... not wise to 'piss-off' the 'Old-Man'...

... supposed to be pretty frigid (single digits with a few below zero nights) from now toward the end of the week, then warming up - saw one forecast calling for rain next weekend (!!?) - if true, then ya' definitely can't win...

Dead of Winter (Ice Climbing Part 5)

... meteorologically(?) January 10th thru February 10th - a few people recently phoned/emailed as to current ice conditions hereabout - not out that much anymore "checkin' conditions" (if at all) - and haven't been - so, don't know, but wouldn't expect much - up until the last day or two it's been pretty warm - lookin' at the weather forecast for the upcoming week (mid 20 degree highs/single digit lows with daily snow showers) would expect pretty good conditions by next weekend, especially at the higher ridge elevations - if out and about and get any photos will update  here for the people to decide...

... a few inquire as to the location of the ice flow located up near 'Kraylick Rocks', the (once) popular rock climbing crag..."the GPS co-ordinates in 'Griz's' guidebook don't match the cliff location...?" - and they won't - the ice flow is located just up the road, a quarter mile (at best) as you approach the cliffs...

... here's the approximate location of both (gotta' get some new 'topo-mapping' software) - the ice flow follows a small drainage that flows below the road (thru a drainpipe) to the north for about a hundred feet where it cascades for maybe 40 feet over a small natural-formed sandstone cliff - great access - just a short walk from the vehicle*...

... don't have many decent photos of this place - this is during a spring-thaw years back - Bill Fiesta for scale - the main, vertical flow photo-left is probably Grade 3+...

... a different perspective - not the best conditions - main flow still sketchy this day...

... HA! - lead ascent from years back - bet no one knew that 'NFL Films' once manufactured "climbing helmets" - was given that hat by a retired 'NFL Films' cinematographer from WNY we occasionally did some work for - among other things, also acquired a large box of used 16mm film cans pen-marked with games from the 60's and 70's - like an idiot, this guy (pictured) used 'em all to send exposed film-rolls to the lab(s) for processing - they never returned 'em with the processed 'work-prints'...

... always the innovator, here's Tim Anderson testing out some early mixed-climbing potential up there, probably around year 2000 (wow! - 14 years "already")...

... very poor conditions this day - Tim eventually solved a mixed line that works the roof just to the left of his knees in this photo - think that it is now bolted as well (don't recall)...

... not a bad area - now'day's considered pretty irrelevant compared to most of the other local stuff...

*... a word of caution - if driving in, beware of the last steep hill (past the old 'Liston Schoolhouse') that drops into the valley - if the road is iced, you're only hope of return is if you are driving a 'tracked' vehicle - we spent over an hour one day winching (luckily) Tim's 'Jeep' back up that hill - if any doubt at all, park at the top of the hill and walk in (about a quarter mile) - you'll likely need your crampons for the hill... keep in mind - there's no other way out... and it's very likely (for days) there is going to be no one "hear you scream"...

Polecat Lodge

... got a mid-week phone call from a buddy years back - "Hey - someone's opened up some new mountain biking trails up on the mountain - place is called the 'Polecat Lodge' - they're havin' an inaugural race in two weeks - thinkin' of entering - would like to check out the course this coming weekend - interested in goin' along?"...

... Saturday morning four of us head out - as I recall the place was located near 'Champion, PA', up in the 'Laurel Highlands - don't remember exactly where (was following behind on the drive up) -  do remember exiting the hardtop and following a long dirt drive, eventually arriving at this older, two-story farmhouse with an adjacent large barn - both could use some "fix'n-up" - but the property is pretty nice - lots of open, rolling fields surrounded by woodland - they've recently rough-graded a small, gravel parking lot - next to the lot there's a newly built small shanty - a banner reading "Mountain Biking" is tacked to the wall...

... we're walkin' over to the "Pro-Shop" (shanty) - out steps a short, "hippie-lookin' dude" - long hair and beard and wearin' a 'psychedelic' print shirt - informs us that we are indeed at the 'Polecat Lodge' - there's a fee for trail riding (think it was $2.50 each) - we pay up - he hands us each a trail map - there's lot's of "hipster-type vernacular" as we banter back and forth with this guy - there's also a strong, pungent odor of pot (smelled like he just stepped off Willie Nelson's tour bus) - and he has that "certain glow" about him - he's obviously "burned one or two" prior to our arrival - and that's OK - just commenting, not criticizing - seems like a nice enough fellow...

... so he's tellin' us about the trails and I'm lookin' at my copy of the hand-drawn map - looks pretty nice - one large circuitous loop with several interconnecting interior trails - however, I notice that there is no scale annotated on the map and mention it to him - "What do you mean, man?' - "Well, there's no scale on the map" - he steps closer to look at my map - "Well, what do you mean, man? - I point to two points on the map - "Well - how far is it from here to here?" - "Ohhhh (now I understand)... man, it's like... you know man... it's like... it's like ...man... you know ... it's like..... far" - we're now all lookin' at each other...

... before "hitting the trail", he takes us on a short tour of the "lodge" - the barn is pretty beat up - we start walking toward the house - "Where you goin', man?" - "To the Lodge!?" - 'That's not the Lodge, man... that's like... you know man ... that's like .... like ... a house" - we turn and follow him to the barn...

... we step thru the large barn door into - a BARN! - there's nothing in there but old cattle stalls, no lighting except what is coming in thru the open door and several large holes in the ceiling and walls, and be careful you don't fall thru the floor - buddy Ken asks him how they plan to house people for the race next weekend - "Man, they can just sack out here in the 'Lodge' in sleeping bags" - they did have a pretty nice artificial climbing wall constructed along the near end wall - artificial climbing holds were just being marketed - was the first time we had seen them - 'buddy Matt' tried it out - he bouldered maybe 12 feet to the top of the wall - down climbed maybe 6 feet - and jumped off - the floor board he landed on bowed about twelve inches and sprung him back up about a foot into the air - if it had broken, he would have fell straight thru the floor to the lower level...

... we finally head out on the trails - from the trailhead to the first intersection (not visible from the trailhead nor the 'Pro-Shop') is maybe 100 feet - if that is an indication, then scaling the distance on the map, if accurate, puts the total length of the trail, from one side of the loop to the other, at less than a half mile! - to be honest, I estimated at least six originally viewing the map...

... we follow the intersection left - we're droppin' downhill on some decent 'doubletrack' and soon bottom out on level ground that parallels and slowly meanders over toward 'Indian Creek' - the trail so far "ain't bad", with a few decent mud holes - we're soon parallel to and riding along banks of 'Indian Creek' - so far so good, but not for long - we soon come to a residence (cabin) constructed along the creek - the trail goes right thru the "backyard", maybe ten feet from the cabin and fifteen feet from the creek - we stop - double and triple check the map - doesn't show a 'house' of any kind, but we're goin' the right way - so we proceed - we're passin' the back of the cabin and glance over into the large ground-level picture window - there's a large family settin' around the dinner table starin' right back at us...

... a guy in maybe his early thirties gets up, steps out the door and stops us - says that this is private property, and "... what the hell do we think we're doin'!?" - we pull out a map and explain, but fail to mention the 'Polecat Lodge' by name - "Did that 'Polecat Lodge' send you down here?" - "Yea" - "Well, we have a lot of problems with that place up there - this is going to end!" - he was nice enough, and we headed on - the boys are now pissed and we're ready to get out of there - which didn't take long - the trail soon wound back uphill - we took the first intersection to the right and headed back to the trailhead and 'Lodge' - don't believe that we rode for more than a mile total (and thats being generous)...

... we got back and told the "hippie-dude" of our "experience" - he's got four pissed guys starin' at him - "Man - it's like... you know ... it's like ... I don't even know where those trails go to ... I just like ...you know, man ... just like ... work here!"...

... didn't get many photos that day - wasn't there long enough - shot some B&W negative - Ken hittin' a mudhole...

... that's the property owner far - Matt sayin' "Let's get the XXX!! out of here!!...

... the boys are lookin' pretty grim...

... he bagged the "race" none-the-less, and we don't think that it was ever held that day - about two or three weeks after our visit was reading a local paper - a large drug bust occurred at the 'Lodge' - ATF agents swooping in by vehicles and helicopter - plus they were investigating the disappearance of a girl from up there...

.. still have a copy of the trail map stashed somewhere - been searchin' folders and files, but so far no luck - will attach it if found...

Mary Jane Falls

... was doing our weekly turn feeding the "stock" at the 'trout pond' this past Friday night - was kind of late - temperature of 13degreesF, was pretty cold, with about six inches of powder snow on the ground - had the "pooch" along as usual...

... usually takes around a half-hour for the feeding along with a few ambient temperature and pond stage and flow measurements - the dog is walking about the whole time sniffing and checking things out - finished up and was going to take him for a short walk around the "grounds", as usual, when we notice that he is having a very hard time walking, and suddenly falls flat on "all fours" - tried to stand him up, but he "ain't budging", and he ain't exactly no 'Chihuahua' ta' boot - and my backs been killing me  - still, managed to get him over and up into the back of the jeep, which was parked nearby...

... knew right away that he was having some cold and frost issues with his paws and hind feet - he's probably around fifteen years age, and for the past few years have noticed he's developed some sensitivity, especially when walking on rough stones or gravel - just pointing this out for others out there - keep an eye on your "old dog" if out and about in cold weather - especially if he's kept outdoors - better yet, bring 'em in for the night...

... which reminds us of an incident that occurred a few years back on a trip out west - had driven up into the 'Spring Mountains' north of Las Vegas with the intention of hiking up to 'Mary Jane Falls' - it's a short (three mile round trip) 'out and back' that ascends for around 950ft through a forest of aspen, fir and pine flanked by steep limestone cliffs forming 'Kyle Canyon' - the trail itself is mostly a series of very steep, rocky switchbacks - a pretty good workout if you're moving fast...

... which upon arriving discovered that was what we would have to do - was 85degreesF when we left the low desert - was wearing some running pants and a light tank top, and had brought along a light jacket - it's 35degreesF at the trailhead, and the wind is howling like crazy - it's probably down in the twenties considering "wind-chill" - still, no-big-deal, always been a cold weather person...

... so we're movin' fast - about half-way up the trail say hello to a "portly" guy heading down-trail - two switchbacks later and we say hello to an asian lady (decked out like the cover of a 'Patagonia' clothing catalog) following the guy - two more switchbacks, and here comes this old (very gray muzzle), large and seriously overweight black dog (Black Lab, our guess) - the switchbacks are really a series of steep stone rubble staircases (impressive job whoever built those things) - and the poor dog is literally falling down them - we stop and am checking him out - he's lookin' us dead in the eyes, like saying "Help Me!" - seems like a very friendly and nice dog - we hang out and wait for someone to come following him...

... about five minutes later and here comes the asian-lady back up the trail - "Is this your dog?", we ask - "YES!!" - "Don't think he's doin' too good" - "HE COMES WITH ME ALL THE TIME - HE'S OK!!! (rudely) - "OK, then" - and continue up the trail, take one last look back - the poor old 'Lab' is watchin' us leave like we've just dropped him off at the front door to the 'glue-factory'...

... so we get up to the falls - pretty nice - check out the place - there's a large "cave" at the base of the falls - snap a few photos - and head back down trail, stopping occasionally for a few more photos - all the while wondering how the dog made out (and making concerned haste, as well) -  a few lower switchbacks from where we left them, there they are (the guy we passed earlier was her husband) - the poor dog down on all fours - "You sure your dog's OK? -  can go get some help" - "YES! - HE'S RESTING!!! - "OK, then" - and we're off...

... get back to the car - we're driving out 'Kyle Canyon Road', but the dog is bothering us - "Screw It!!" - stop at the 'Kyle Canyon Fire Station' - knock on the door, and a fireman pokes his head out of a second story window - we explain the situation, but he say's that he is the only one on duty and is not allowed to leave the station unattended unless an emergency - ask him if he has a rescue litter - "I'm not allowed to lend anything out"...

... it's early in the season, and none of the park personnel are as yet on duty - pass a maintenance building, and see one lone guy unloading some gear from the back of a pick-up - pull in - says he's from California - works seasonal high-country maintenance in the park from Spring to Fall, and this is his first day back - tell him about the dog - says he doesn't have keys to access any emergency equipment - but we both spot a few 10ft aluminum canopy poles leaning against the wall - says he has a few blankets - we grab two poles and a large blanket, and we're off in his pick-up...

... we hike quickly and reach the dog about a half-mile up the trail - there's now about five other hikers gathered 'round - the dog lying on it's side and panting pretty heavily - "Are you guys with the park - this dog needs help!!" they're shouting - we move in and quickly assemble a makeshift 'pole and blanket litter' - believe it or not, "Miss Nagasaki" is still protesting! - luckily, one of the ladies assembled, clearly a dog lover, argues right back with her - we load up the 'mutt', and head out - the whole time her husband says nothing, but once moving along the trail, and out of "earshot", he is thanking us again  and again - it's clear who "wear's the pants" in that family...

... anyway, we got the 'Lab' back down and loaded in their SUV - told "Miss Nagasaki" don't bother thanking us (she didn't), and left...

... headin' up Rt 157 toward the 'Spring Mountains' north of 'Vegas' - that's 'Mt. Charleston' "dead ahead" - late May and still plenty of snow up high - 85 degrees in the desert - wind chill 20's up there...

... viewing west from high on the trail toward 'Charleston Peak' and the massive flanking Limestone walls...

... 'Kyle Canyon' viewing south from high on the trail...

... 'Mary Jane Falls' - just a "trickle" today - still a large 'ice cone' at the base - but conditions can be deceiving - they warn ya' to be careful hiking during sudden thunderstorms - one of which years ago wiped out the old campground, which is now the trailhead...

... the 'cave' is behind the 'ice cone', at the base of the falls....

... there's three multi-pitch Grade 4 to 5 ice climbs that ascend the immediate vicinity of the falls - not formed this day - but looks difficult...

... some pretty big Limestone walls...

... the trail passes directly beneath several...

... an 'Alpine Forest'...

... the 'Vegas Hose Monster' - Grade 5, 400ft - always thought that it ascended 'Mary Jane Falls' - turned out it's on the opposite side of 'Kyle Canyon' - swiped this photo off the 'internet' - not ours - thanks to the photographer - that's one, big, committing lookin' route...

... boy, if we realized at the time that you eventually get old and have so many aches and (back) pains, would have pushed things ten times harder...