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Portage River Ice Climbing - Bullwinkle

Rating: WI3 
Length: 70 meters
FA: not known

Lat: 60º 46.370' North
Long: 148º 51.760' West

**WARNING*** 
Bullwinkle is within a large avalanche chute.  Know your surroundings and be aware of the snow conditions before venturing on to this route!

Access: From the Seward Highway take the Portage Valley Road as if going to Whittier.  Drive approximately 5 miles to the turnoff for the Begich, Boggs Visitor Center.  Bullwinkle is south of the visitor center and located high on the mountain under and/or within a large avalanche chute.  From the parking lot hike through brush until you reach the base of the chute.  Ascend the chute a few hundred feet until you reach the ice on the right hand side.  Bullwinkle is just before Dreams of Brown Moose on the same side of the canyon.

Route: Climb a very short pitch of WI2 up to the 6 meter vertical curtain of ice, which poses the crux of the climb.  Depending on conditions, the left side of the cutain may pose a somewhat harder line.  Once atop the curtain, climb a longer pitch of moderate ice to the top. 

Anchor:  Vegetation exists at the top of the climb; however, due to the length of the climb, be prepared to set a v-thread.

 

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above: Bullwinkle.
photo: Burrell Lindell Nickeson.

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