Jeff Deutsch

Ice Climbing --- 2/16/2007 --- Salmon River Falls

Anna and Keith skipped classes to go ice climbing with me at Salmon River Falls. This is near Pulaski, NY where there had just been a record breaking 12' snow fall. Reports earlier in the week had people in the gorge sinking in snow over their heads. And more snow had fallen since those reports were posted.

Luckily the snow had consolidated a bit. It was still deep, but with snowshoes and persistence we managed to climb. Rather than hike the usual approach trail we rappelled in from the top of the gorge. I managed to identify the top of Mate, Spawn and Die (WI5, M4) which was pretty lucky since I only saw it once three years ago, and it looks like the top of every other climb. So we rappelled in and climbed the route on toprope using two ropes since the climb is about 120' tall.

This is a hard climb. Conditions were fairly good for toproping, but the ice is still delicate and detached for much of the climb. Just like when I climbed it three years ago, I had to hang on the rope at the last 15'. Kinda bummed with my performance, but I don't really care that much. Anna had just been ice climbing for the first time less than two weeks earlier on the short, easy flows at Lick Brook. Mate, Spawn and Die is outrageously hard compared to that experience. Still, Anna did a great job at getting to the top. Then Keith took a turn. He also had just learned to ice climb at Lick Brook. Of course, Keith climbed Mate, Spawn and Die cleanly and in good style. That's because he is a mutant freak. I mean that in a good way.

Since he was the last climber, Keith topped out and moved the anchor to Salmon Runs (WI4). It had been clear early in the day, but now snow was falling heavily. Keith rappelled down to us and we took turns on this route. Keith and Anna each did two laps, I did one. We all topped out and broke down the anchor. Because we wanted to be back in Ithaca by 7pm we didn't have time for more climbing. So we strapped our snowshoes back on and hiked out to the car.

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	Anna with her first ever pair of sunglasses. Don't drop them in the snow! Salmon River Falls -- 2/16/2007
	Keith and Anna after snowshoeing to the top of the gorge. Salmon River Falls -- 2/16/2007
	Keith and Anna getting goofy with snowshoes. Salmon River Falls -- 2/16/2007
	Keith and Anna getting goofy with snowshoes. Salmon River Falls -- 2/16/2007
	Ice Salmon River Falls -- 2/16/2007
	Ice Salmon River Falls -- 2/16/2007
	Mate, Spawn and Die Salmon River Falls -- 2/16/2007
	Keith rappelling the mixed section at the top of Mate, Spawn and Die. Salmon River Falls -- 2/16/2007
	Keith rappelling Mate, Spawn and Die. Salmon River Falls -- 2/16/2007
	Winter wonderland. Salmon River Falls -- 2/16/2007
	Winter wonderland. Salmon River Falls -- 2/16/2007
	Anna getting ready to climb. Salmon River Falls -- 2/16/2007
	Anna getting ready to climb. Salmon River Falls -- 2/16/2007
	Anna climbing Mate, Spawn and Die. Salmon River Falls -- 2/16/2007
	Anna climbing Mate, Spawn and Die. Salmon River Falls -- 2/16/2007
	Anna climbing Mate, Spawn and Die. Salmon River Falls -- 2/16/2007
	Yellow gaiters, boots and crampons. Salmon River Falls -- 2/16/2007
	Yellow gaiters, boots and crampons. Salmon River Falls -- 2/16/2007
	Anna climbing Mate, Spawn and Die. Salmon River Falls -- 2/16/2007
	Anna climbing Mate, Spawn and Die. Salmon River Falls -- 2/16/2007
	Anna climbing Mate, Spawn and Die. Salmon River Falls -- 2/16/2007
	Anna climbing Mate, Spawn and Die. Salmon River Falls -- 2/16/2007
	Anna climbing Mate, Spawn and Die. Salmon River Falls -- 2/16/2007
	Anna climbing Mate, Spawn and Die. Salmon River Falls -- 2/16/2007
	Anna climbing Mate, Spawn and Die. Salmon River Falls -- 2/16/2007
	Anna climbing Mate, Spawn and Die. Salmon River Falls -- 2/16/2007
	Anna climbing Mate, Spawn and Die. Salmon River Falls -- 2/16/2007
	Keith climbing Mate, Spawn and Die. Salmon River Falls -- 2/16/2007
	Keith climbing Mate, Spawn and Die. Salmon River Falls -- 2/16/2007
	Keith climbing Mate, Spawn and Die. Salmon River Falls -- 2/16/2007
	Keith climbing Mate, Spawn and Die. Salmon River Falls -- 2/16/2007
	Keith climbing Mate, Spawn and Die. Salmon River Falls -- 2/16/2007
	Keith climbing Mate, Spawn and Die. Salmon River Falls -- 2/16/2007
	Keith climbing Mate, Spawn and Die. Salmon River Falls -- 2/16/2007
	Keith climbing Mate, Spawn and Die. Salmon River Falls -- 2/16/2007
	Keith climbing Mate, Spawn and Die. Salmon River Falls -- 2/16/2007
	Keith climbing Mate, Spawn and Die. Salmon River Falls -- 2/16/2007
	Anna Salmon River Falls -- 2/16/2007
	Anna Salmon River Falls -- 2/16/2007
	Anna Salmon River Falls -- 2/16/2007
	Salmon Runs Salmon River Falls -- 2/16/2007
	You know how some people cuddle up with a teddy bear when they sleep? You've got to love a woman who cuddles with an ice axe. This photo isn't staged. Anna really did fall asleep on the floor holding an ice axe... with a perfect self-arrest grip. Ithaca -- 2/14/2007
	You know how some people cuddle up with a teddy bear when they sleep? You've got to love a woman who cuddles with an ice axe. This photo isn't staged. Anna really did fall asleep on the floor holding an ice axe... with a perfect self-arrest grip. Ithaca -- 2/14/2007