Inspired by Alex Lowe's famous solo of the Ames Ice Hose, the author retraces his footsteps and learns a lesson in fear.
The orchards and meadows around Paonia in western Colorado were greening after a snowy winter.
Are you really going ice climbing? It’s practically spring, I thought. You are only an hour from home, and should probably turn around.
I pulled over, killed the ignition and sat for a moment. Rationalizing that I could always change my mind over the next three hours of driving—an easy fail-safe—I turned the keys and continued south on Highway 133 toward Delta.
I hoped to connect with my friend Danny and climb Ingram Falls, a spectacular two-pitch pillar of ice above Telluride, but he didn’t answer his phone or email to confirm. I drove to his house anyway and knocked on his door. No answer.
It was time for Plan B: Rather than waste a long drive, I would solo the Ames Ice Hose.
This story is from the April 2017, #241 edition of Rock and Ice.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the April 2017, #241 edition of Rock and Ice.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Call of Duty
Vikki Weldon: Hard lines and the front line
THE BADGE
WE DEFINE OURSELVES AS CLIMBERS, BUT IS THAT GOOD ENOUGH?
THE ACHIEVER
MARICELA ROSALES HAD EVERYTHING AGAINST HER. SHE BECAME A CLIMBER ANYWAY.
Chris Sharma
FIRST ASCENTIONIST, FORMER WORLD CHAMPION, OWNS GYMS IN SPAIN AND USA. INTERVIEWED IN QUARANTINE IN BARCELONA WITH HIS WIFE, 3-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER AND 1-YEAR-OLD SON.
PROJECT WAIT
A LIFELONG CLIMBER CONSIDERS THROWING IN THE TOWEL
Older, Wiser, Stronger!
YES, THEY CAN GO TOGETHER. HOW TO TRAIN STRENGTH AS YOU COME ALONG DOWN THE ROAD.
CALCULATED RISK
HOW UNDERSTANDING DANGER COULD KEEP YOU OUT OF HARM’S WAY
Accessories To Climb
Field tested
To The Grit
About 10 winters ago I touched down in Manchester in a hard, driving English rain. The city was hidden from view. I was groggy after a red-eye from Dallas, an over-brewed black tea barking on my dry tongue.
The Wild Ones
North Conway is a typical New Hampshire town tucked among rolling hardwood hills and set at the foot of imposing granite slabs, but 30 years ago it was the stage on which a small band of climbers led the way in boldness and vision.
