Here are some photos of Jason and I climbing and skiing in the Rockies.
Dream On Ice Climbing in the Bighorn Wilderness
Full size
Jason is applying sunscreen (which smells like bubble gum) prior to heading in for a hike.
Because we were so worried about avalanches, we went somewhere we wouldn't even have to ski into -
the Bighorn wilderness north of the Ghost. Hike in wearing tennis shoes and lug the ski boots in.
Full size
Our destination is on the left side ice fall.
Full size
The climb is called Dream On and goes at WI4 although the top pitch (on the left side)
is a very strong WI4.
Full size
The lower pitch was great warm-up as it was a little lightly tilted back.
Full size
Jason putting in a screw. Big kudos to my brother-in-law, E L, for lending us his ice
climbing gear. We would not have gotten out without it.
Full size
I like this photo of Jason as it expresses our feelings well - "Hmm, this looks steep." "Yup, sure does."
Full size
Jason, with the second pitch visible above him.
Full size
We were worried about the horizontal crack so we hiked up alongside it to get a better view.
The thickness of the ice made us feel a little better so we decided to press on.
Full size
I went for a wander to have a better look at the next climb over but it wasn't in at all.
Full size
A good shot showing the steepness of this climb. I tried to tell Jason that the left side was
substantially steeper than the right side, but he wasn't having any part of it.
Full size
I heard more grunting than a women's tennis match, but he easily ambled up this thing and got
to the top of it.
Full size
I went next and hauled my way up. The ice was in beautiful shape, there was no one around, and the
view was really nice too. This is the inside of that horizontal crack.
Full size
Jason Moffatt at the top of Dream On , Bighorn Wilderness Area, Alberta, Canada.
Full size
I took a shot of Jason as I was rappelling down the climb.
Video of Jason and I ice climbing in Bighorn Wilderness
Full size
I give this climb the Paul Perrault stamp of approval.
Full size
Big props to E L for the use of his gear.
Full size
We were cautious about the avalanche risks on this day, so rather than skiing into
Chickadee Valley, we decided to ski into Boom Lake and get a view of some other ice
climbs for other possible days. Here is Jason just after putting on his brand new touring skis.
Full size
It was a bit of a slog up the 5km to the lake, but I always enjoy any day with my skis on.
Here's Jason with a view of the lake. We were both feeling a little under the weather and
so convinced each other that a lighter day without ice climbing was in order - even though
we hauled all of our gear all the way up the trail.
Full size
A really nice looking chute directly across the lake from the trail.
Full size
The weather socked in just a little, but this is the view back to the east towards the trailhead.
Full size
A couple of the ice climbs at the head of the lake.
