With temperatures pushing 50 and a large rain event this past Thursday night, I assumed the worse for our local central PA ice climbing areas. After receiving a report from David Tandberg and Shawn Dorius Saturday, I was surprised that the Lock Haven / Renovo climbs were not a complete washout. Their report of the Gemini Gullies and the accompanying photos showed the Gemini’s are holding strong with only the top 15 ft. of the routes degraded. I took a quick trip up Rt. 120 this afternoon to personally assess the conditions in Roadside Gully and Hidden Amphitheater.

Roadside Gully appears to be holding strong with only a couple holes eroded through the low angle approach to the steep upper tiers. The upper tiers seem to be still intact, but I assume they are no longer bonded to the rock and open water will be flowing behind the ice. Good judgement will be needed to decide if the routes are safe enough to climb in these warm soft ice conditions. Be advised, the approach gully will become a bowling alley in the event that something above cuts loose. Remember, gravity always wins, so don’t become a statistic!

Roadside Gully 03/04/07

Hidden Amphitheater took a big hit from the runoff and snow melt in Greens Run. All three tiers are washed out with only the left lower angle ice on the second tier holding on. In the past, I have seen this second tier completely crash to the ground, so climbing here is not recommended. Being this is now March and it would take several weeks of COLD weather to bring things back in, Hidden Amphitheater is done for this year.

Hidden Amphitheater (RIP) 03/04/07