From Tom Mrotek:
I drove up to Lock Haven today to check out the ice. Roadside is coming in nicely, but there is still a large volume of water flowing. The upper tiers have large ice formations on them already. I drove past Hidden Amphitheatre, but didn't hike up because I am lazy. From the road, I could not see an appreciable amount of ice yet. I would expect in about two weeks or so, both of the lower parts of Roadside and Hidden will be climbable.
On the way to Gemini, about 2 miles south on the Hyner River Rd, there are some ice flows (about grade 3) that we toproped early in the season last year. They are high up in the woods on the slope and easy to miss. Both are coming in nicely and I believe will support a lead next weekend, definitely topropeable. I could only see the start of Gemini gullies and the top of Left Gully. The bottom is almost complete, but still thin. The "headwall" of the Left Gully has ice formations on it, but not substantial enough to climb yet. The bottom of the gullies should be climbable by next weekend, if all stays cold. I almost climbed it today, but hesitated since it was still a little thin.
The road to Gemini is not frozen over yet, but deeply rutted. There are big holes and puddles that are only thinly covered with ice, so a high clearance vehicle is recommended. Once there's more snow, it should be better driving. Also, at the section that you drive up and around the house by the tracks, there is a freshly fallen pine tree partially obstructing the road. Please take an axe to clear this. Lastly, none of the rappel anchors out there have been inspected thus far this year. I will replace as many anchors as necessary, but please take a length of 8 mm cord or 1 in webbing in case you find one damaged.
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Roadside Gully - 12/12/09 |
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Left Gemini Gully - 12/12/09 |
Dave in General, 12/12/2009 •
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