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We climbed the first 2 pitches of "Home By Noon"
today. This is the right hand of the two broad twin ice slabs above the
highway just north of Slocan City (see photo).
The ice was mostly quite plastic and thick enough
for medium length screws with the exception of the last 10m to the second anchor
which was a bit too thin for even stubbies.
The first bolted anchor is tucked under a roof and
gives excellent protection from icefall above. The second
anchor bolts had to be chopped out from under an inch of
ice.
The third pitch which traverses wildly right
through an easy bolt protected but exposed rock ledge seemed to
be lacking thick enough ice on the exit pillar.
We were just barely able to rap to
within 1m of the ground from the second anchor with some stretchy 60m ropes,
but probably better to swing right and reach the first anchor to
descend in 2 raps.
Assorted smears are freezing up in various
locations along the Slocan Valley and things will get even more exciting as the
cold weather continues. Vanishing Falls and Enterprise both look climbable
from the road.
Enjoy,
Shaun King
ACMG Alpine Guide
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