Bucktail Canyon - Lock Haven / Renovo - March 3, 2013

by Dave Seasholtz Mon, March 04 2013 22:24

Unfortunately, Roadside Gully and Hidden Amphitheater have not recovered from the thaw that hit us on January 30-31. We never received an extended period of single digit temps in February, and the photos below show the result.

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Roadside Gully's approach is washed out, but Glass Menagerie looks in. - 3/3/2013       Open water and thin delaminated ice conditions at Hidden Amphitheater - 3/3/2013

Looking across the river at the Gemini Gullies, it appears that those climbs fared much better that Roadside and Hidden. The first pitches look fat, but I am unable to assess the top outs on the final headwalls. The Geminis are the only safe bet for anyone exploring the area.

Bucktail Canyon - Lock Haven/Renovo - February 9, 2013

by Dave Seasholtz Sun, February 10 2013 22:23

Took a quick recon up to Roadside Gully and Hidden Amphitheater and Roadside Gully this morning. Unfortunately there has been minimal ice growth in the past week. Conditions have not improved much due to the excessive runoff remaining from the heavy rain event 10 days ago. Both Roadside and Hidden are still flowing strongly, and we will need at least a solid week of single digits to recover those routes. The Gemini Gullies look to be the best bet for climbing at Lock Haven.

 

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Still open water in both Roadside Gully (L) and Hidden Amphitheater (R).

It's coming back! - February 7, 2013

by Dave Seasholtz Thu, February 07 2013 19:44

Ice is coming back from the wipe out we experienced last week. Wayne Barnard has recovered his ice tower, and is shown doing laps on this ~50 ft free standing pillar that is setup in his back yard. It is quite the ice gardening project.

 

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It's time to "Go Climb"!

Hidden Amphitheater - Lock Haven/Renovo - January 27, 2013

by Dave Seasholtz Sun, January 27 2013 22:40

Randy Edelman, Dutch Sanders, Dwight Kempf, Roger Moore, and I spent most of the day in Hidden Amphitheater. We were able to get good screw placements in all three pitches, and then finished up the day doing top rope laps on the second and third tiers. At least three other parties were taking advantage of the fine local conditions and were climbing in Bucktail Canyon today.

 

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Bucktail Canyon - Lock Haven/Renovo - January 26, 2013

by Dave Seasholtz Sat, January 26 2013 13:30

Come and get it!  Took a solo recon up Rt 120 to see how the ice conditions were progressing. With only 5 nights of single digit temps this past week, I was not expecting the ice to be in as good of condition as it really is. The photos below show why I am currently thumping my tail in delight. Have at it folks!.

 

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Roadside Gully: Observations from the road 1/26/2013. The low angle approach is filling in nicely. The first steep tier (buldge) appears climbable. The second steep tier looks a bit thin. Glass Menangerie on the third tier appears to be touching down.

 

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Hidden Amphitheater 1/26/2013. All three tiers appear thin but IN! Topping out on the second and third pitches look to be quite sporting.

 

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Hidden Amhitheater: The first tier looks a bit thin but still an easy route. The second tier looks pretty good considering the short cold snap we have experienced. Topping out on the third tier will be a scratch fest.

 

Not sure how things will fare next week as the temps are supposed to rise up to the high 40's. Then, cold conditions are supposed to return by the weekend.

Bucktail Canyon - Lock Haven/Renovo - January 5, 2013

by Dave Seasholtz Sat, January 05 2013 11:27

Wayne Barnard, Randy Edelman and I took an early morning recon trip up into Bucktail Canyon to assess the ice conditions on Roadside Gully, the Gemini Gullies, and Hidden Amphitheater. Nope, not ready yet folks.

 

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Roadside Gully - Jan. 5, 2013                                                                                  Hidden Amphitheater - Jan. 5, 2012

 

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Gemini Gullies - Jan 5, 3013                                                                                   New sign in front of the Geminis. Yell