Hawksbill Ice

Went in to on Wed. to find plastic ice on Lower Hawksbill.  I had never been there for ice before and we found two routes that were fat enough to lead and in great shape.  Temperatures were in the upper 30s and there was deep snow on the approach.  A boot pack had been in place letting us know that we were not the first this season but it did make hiking in easier. 
A few notes.
Roads were clear up to the gravel forest service road into table rock.  We did put chains on the Forester to make sure we had safe passage to the Hawksbill parking.  The snow was deep in some places.
Thanks to Jon Jones for the rope gunnage.  

We had four screws (nOOBs) up to 19cm and placed them all.  A very light rock rack was useful.

Here are a few shots.

Holiday Ice Report

Greeting from Coastal Georgia.
Spending some time with the Fam. this week and sitting out warmer mountain temps.  My buddy Jon enjoyed a 60 degree day at Rumbling getting some good rock time in but it looks like cold weather is on the way in for the weekend.  I received a Whitesides report from N. GA  and Cashiers Valley Local, Robin, this morning via e-mail.  I wish it was positive but it might just keep you from driving all the way out there only to be disappointed.
Whitesides report as of 10/22/10

"Went to Whitesides today and walked the loop. everything is either down detached , or coming down. looks like we start from the beginning when it gets cold."

Perhaps Boone will be in better shape.  If any one knows let me know and Ill post it up.

Wish it was better but that's where we stand.
Happy and safe Holidays to all!
Phil

215 Survives Warm Temps!

A crew stopped in to give this first hand 215 report.
Hwy 215 (road) was in slick conditions.  Lots of black ice so chains are a good idea.  They were headed up to Sam's Knob but were thwarted by the slick road conditions and stopped at 215 instead.  215 was in good shape although somewhat hacked out by the weekend activity.  Most routes were plastic and some in leadable condition.  Despite tomorrows 55 degree prediction there are a few cold nights forecast for the rest of the week and remember, when its warm low its cold high.


Happy Holidays Folks!
Phil

Well Damn...

It warmed up all of a sudden and the reports from round the area stopped coming in.  I think its fair to say that we can all be psyched about amazing December conditions.  We are probably looking at the best Dec. in quite some time.  No worries though, the cold temps will return.  It is still early winter and Jan and Feb have surprises up their sleeves.  We truly have amazing natural resources here!  Wed and Thursday last week we climbed ice and then on Friday enjoyed a 50 degree rock climbing day.  Sat was a "rest day" and today, Sunday, is another great day to sample some of NC finest rock. What ever your vice, rock, ice, trad, sport, and bouldering get out and take advantage!
Phil 

Doughton Park Ice Climbing

Via www.carolinaclimbers.org

 

Doughton Park Ice Climbing Closed for 2010 Ice Season

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The National Park Service has imposed a temporary closure for the ice climbing at Doughton Park for the 2010 season. The Park Service is doing a guardrail construction project and needs to close the area for construction purposes. As more infromation is available we will post it.

Wednesday is the day!

Looking like Wed. this week for optimum conditions in PNF area.  In Boone it doesn't seem to matter.  Pick a day!   Here are your 10 day forecasts for the surrounding regions.
Asheville
Bevard/PNF
Boone/Blowing Rock
Highlands/Cashiers


Just a teaser.
Picked up a pair of these babies last week.  Review to follow.

Scarpa Jorasses Pro GTX  w/Black Diamond SS Cyborg Cramp

More Linville Ice Action and Whitesides

Climberbrian is making it happen in Linville this December.
Check out his latest Gorgefest.
"Back at linville today....it took a beating on thur and fri. A nice
gully climb that was there Wed was gone as was the large route next to
the prow. The 100' line lead Wed was lead again but the ice at the top
was not good. By 1ish ice was breaking off all over the place so we got
out....the other line (100+ feet) was dripping but looks like it might
survive and grow...."

Thanks for the report and keep em' coming.


On a side note I spent the night in Highlands yesterday after a great day of trail work at Laurel Knob.  Climbing conditions there were excellent.  Lots of dry rock to climb.
In cruising past the HWY 64 overlook I snapped a few photos of the NW Face Whitesides.
The trade routes are shaping up nicely and if the weather holds they will get even fatter. 

 Starshine & Mother Russia 12/11/10

 It dumped about 5" of snow last night and on the way out I snapped one more.  Enjoy!
Phil

Graveyard Fields Ice Video

Parkway was clear. Ice was fat and leadable but who wants to lead when its so easy to drop a toprope?!
Enjoy!

Linville Gorge Ice Report

Got a great report from ClimberBrian this morning in regards to Linville. Thanks for the update.
Amphitereater report as of 12/8.

"2 100' routes were in at linville (amphitheater), I lead one route but
the other was too chandeliered at the bottom for my comfort (a stronger
leader could lead it). The three pitch route is getting close but by mid
morning ice was crashing down the route for the entire day....It was
still standing when we left. More routes that were touching down were
seen scattered throughout the gorge but we didn't have time to check
them out."

Thanks man! Keep em coming.

Got a Graveyard Fields video in the works from yesterday and on the way up 215 looked great all the way to the Parkway. Should be prime for the weekend...if the weather holds.
Stay tuned!

Graveyard Fields Ice on 12/8/10

Just a quick video of us heading in to Graveyard Fields Ice on 12/8/10
Ice was nice and fat. Leadable on most routes and plastic at the top. Excellent early Dec. conditions. Ride in is about 40mins and mostly downhill. Thankfully the Blue Ridge Parkway was clear of snow and ice.

More videos tomorrow...

Photo of 215

215 as of 12/4/10.

On its way in.

Inaugural Ice Report

Here it is! First one out of the gate.
Location:
HWY 215: Currently ice is forming but no condition report at this time.
Graveyard Fields/BRP: No Report Available. Heading out for a recon on Wed. Dec. 8
Whitesides Mountain:
Starshine and Mother Russia beginning to form as of 12/4. Thin ice touching down.
Boone area: Big Lost Cove reported to be in and climbable as of 12/4

Weather Forecast
10 day forecast Asheville area.
http://ashevilleweather.com/Forecast/Asheville
10 day forecast Pisgah Forest
http://www.weather.com/weather/tenday/USNC0537
10 day forecast Boone, NC
http://www.weather.com/weather/tenday/USNC0072
10 day forecast Highlands, NC
http://www.weather.com/weather/tenday/USNC0317

Welcome to the Looking Glass Outfitters NC Ice Report Blog

Welcome to the Looking Glass Outfitters NC Ice Climbing Report! This blog serves as a place for ice climbers to share their experiences climbing ice in our great state and beyond. We at LGO will try to maintain accurate, up to date condition reports for Pisgah Forest, Cashiers Valley, and the High Country/Boone area. If you have condition updates then by all means post up! A quick word of caution. Ice reports can be based on hear say and second hand information. Actual conditions may vary so use your own judgment and intelligence when venturing into the mountains. We will strive to provide the most reliable information as possible but as we are in the South East conditions can and often will change in a matter of hours.
Ice Climbing is extremely dangerous! This blog cannot warn or prepare you for all the hazards that you could experience climbing ice or any other features in the mountains. This blog is only one of the many places where limitless information is available and it certainly is not a substitute for proper training, risk management, judgment, equipment knowledge or wilderness/back country skills. Seek proper training before going ice or rock climbing so that you can stack the odds in your favor. Be safe and have fun out there!

Thanks!