I arrive 30 minutes early from the flight and David was ready to pick me up.  He was waiting just outside the Denver airport for my phone call.  This save the parking fee, David is always frugal.   We headed straight out to some climbs nearby.  The weather had been warm and the ice was melting, but the day’s high was in the 40’s so we were able get in a few hundred feet of ice on some local spots.

Colorado Winter Landscape

We drove up Clear Creek Hwy to a WI3.  It began with a short falls that was running a lot.  I led this pitch and placed a single screw.  David led the next pitch and we rapped down.  Wasn’t much up there?

We walked 5 minutes down the canyon to another spot.  I led an extremely melted pitch which had three steps in it.  I passed the first two steps without placing a screw.  I however was able to sling a column that forded excellent protection.  I stopped short of the last step as it was getting difficult to hear David over the

David leading ice in CO

road.  I built an anchor with a slung column and a single screw.  I rigged it with the rope as David was leading the next pitch.  David followed quickly and led the next section without pause to a couple of bolts.  We coiled the ropes and moved up easily third class.

Ice screw hole

A nice looking vertical fall loomed as next pitch.  It was my lead and I moved up the ramp and place a screw from the top of the ramp.  I should have stayed lower; it would have been easier to place the screw.   I placed 2 more screws on the falls.  I topped out and placed a two screw anchor for David.

David Sweet, Guide and Avalanche instructor

American Apline Club Headquarters

We coiled the rope and soloed a few hundred feet of WI1 to the top of the flow.  David and I walked off as there were parties coming up from below.  We headed into town and went to a couple of gear shops, Bent Gate Outfitters and Neptune’s.  Bent Gate was in Golden and had a tremendous amount of gear in stock.  I tried on some boot to see if I could get a better fit, was too sure about them.  We went to the Headquarters for the American Alpine Club.  This building was home to AAC, OB, and many other outdoor organizations.  I introduced myself and then we toured the museum of American Alpinism.  It was rich with history and photo and displays of many key events, people and technologies for mountaineering.