Ice climbing is a fickle hobby. Conditions are rare both in terms of weather and topography to create perfect flows. Water needs to slowly seep out of steep cliffs that in most places of the world are ever-shaded, North-facing gullies. Too warm and the ice will not harden or will not form at all. The slow trickle of water needs perfect temperatures to build layer upon layer of ice. And, believe it or not, it can be too cold, the ice becoming brittle, shattering like a dropped dinner plate hitting the floor when impacted by an ice tool. Unless you live in Canmore or Ouray, good ice is often a journey. Yet, I love it. There is something fun and oh so satisfying about a good “stick.”

Heading over to our spot
Left to right: Skyler, myself, and Mike Schneiter
Scouting out our plans on the ice

Rifle Mountain Park is a few hours from my house and is well known for difficult sport climbing in the summer months. Incidentally, the steep limestone also lends itself to the formation of good ice climbs, and boy, it did not disappoint. My friend Mike Schneiter showed me and Skyler the goods! We got lucky with some great conditions, and it was fun to explore Rifle and some classic Colorado ice climbs not far from home.