Intro To Ice-Climbing in the Catskills

Haines Falls, New York

Description

In the Catskills of upstate New York, beautiful sheets of ice cascade over formations of granite on the outskirts of the forest. As beautiful as the ice walls are to behold, climbing them offers an even more intimate way to appreciate this natural phenomenon.

Asbestos Wall is 100 miles north of New York City, west of the Hudson, near Hunter Mountain. I-87 is the most direct route, however driving along the smaller roads provides for a more scenic route filled with views of mountains, forests and wonderful towns.

For this trip, we went with Mountain Skills Climbing Guides (shout-out to Brendan Mealia!). If you are considering Ice Climbing, be sure to hire a guide! They will know the area best, and will provide you with a safe and fun learning experience. Also, some groups will provide you with all of the necessary, quality equipment that you need.

The day we started climbing was the coldest of this winter (-8ºF). The ice was brittle in spots, but also growing in others. Since this was an introductory lesson, the climbs consisted of a variety of straight wall, multiple pitches, mixed terrain, and ice columns.

What did we learn? The basics! How to tie the figure-8 knot, how to respect the terrain, the key phrases and safety measures, and last but not least, how to start climbing!

Note: Prepare for the cold - you're ice climbing, after all! Be sure to avoid Cotton materials, as they do not wick away moisture like Synthetic or Wool.

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Features

Rock Climbing

Forest

Groups

Scenic

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Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

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