Sean at the top of the climb! Nice work!
Sean untying after climbing and lowering.
Sean heading up!
Amber working on her ax placement.
Sean way at the top again!
Beautiful blue skies.
On belay beside a crew of people, but not too crowded.
Amber finally getting back into the groove of climbing on ice!
Amber having fun.
Amber smiling down to Sean on belay.
Amber on the way up!
Today, we headed out earlier in the morning, and ironically enjoyed a bit warmer temperatures. I was pleased to discover that the toe warmers were definitely effective as my feet were toasty warm all day. Sean and I played on a toprope in the Schoolroom area. Sean did a great job dancing right up the route. I took several attempts, and had some fun successes on the lower parts of the route. After awhile, the climbers next to us suggested a trade. So, we climbed on their rope for awhile and they climbed on our rope for awhile. I had a lot more success with their route as there were more good stance options, and it was fun talking to the other climbers. One woman was from Hungary, currently residing in Boulder, and quite proficient at ice climbing. It was fun watching her dance right on up the ice. After we finished our route, we then hiked out and let another party climb on our rope while we walked up the steep icy path toward the anchors. The routes were all beautiful ice with lots of blue ice around the place, and it was great to get to climb more than one section of ice without having to set up anymore ropes.
The weather was great all day, with just a few wind gusts and mostly blue skies and sun. Apparently, snow showers are supposed to be coming, but everyone seems to say that all the time in winter in Colorado...
After climbing for about 4 hours, we decided it was time to have more to eat than the sardines and hot tea we brought with us, so we headed into Ouray and secured some provisions from Duckette's, the local grocery store. We also stopped into Mouse's and got some coffee and chocolate.
