Eklutna Canyon

[bumpasourus]

lost my wallet somewhere either on the dam or around ripple if someone finds it my # is 351 9795

thanks

[rjh]

To the two guys ice climbing in Eklutna Canyon on 3/12/09 with their dog: I have your soft shell jacket you were using to keep your dog warm. My party actually found it on the side of the trail after you guys left. Give me a call and describe your dog and the jacket and we can figure out a place to meet. 907 347-8907

[mdhage]

Afternoon excursion into Eklutna to blow off some steam after a busy week in Los Anchorage. The good doctor blew us all away with an impressive lead of TJ Swan in it's current hanging curtain condition. Took a nasty fall onto a KB, but got back on more determined than ever. Must have had some serious office issues to work out.

[leehelzer]

The fall... Still can't believe the knife blade held.

[The Dude]

+500 man points to Dr. Holden for the lead. I was shaking like a god damned mouse in a cage of snakes just on belay. I half expected to have to find a new partner for the spring, but oh contraire, the man got back on the horse and went all Guantanamo Bay; beating that thing into submission!

One must say, it is somewhat nice to have two guys with overpriced cameras on hand to document the carnage, mayhem and madness. I couldn't help noticing though that Soupcan kept pointing that telephoto lens towards my junk. What's the deal Helzer?

On a serious note, a single bolt on the back of the wall would make it a fun, safer and more practical line to do in such lean conditions. Really...how the eff did that knifeblade hold? I know Seth is not a religious man, so divine forces weren't at work, for sure!

[mdhage]

And I suppose you would place that bolt on rappel ...
Let the bolt rant begin!

[The Dude]

speaking of bolts...rumor has it there's a new bolted mixed line at the back of the canyon by the damn. What's the good word people?

[Clutch]

one vote against the bolt...the ascent described above single-handedly gives two good reasons against the bolt:

1. the pro held; and
2. the ascent was made.

nice lead

rant over

[denglish]

I also agree, no bolt.

Lead it wisely based on the conditions it is in.

[mdhage]

The Dude scratching like a dog (which he does not deny that he is a dog) on a bolt line by the dam.

[John N]

I have been refusing to quit and went and climbed in Eklutna yesterday. It took some creative rock jumping to only get my soles wet. Ripple was in surprisingly good condition, much better than I expected (plus I had it all to myself!) I stood underneath later and caught falling V-threads.

It is still possible to make it to the rock routes in the back of the canyon, except the one right next to the dam (the one the Dude is climbing above has open water undeneath it.) On the corner right before the dam is visible there is a clear line of 5-6 bolts on the right leading to a cord anchor. Yesterday was the first time I noticed a route directly across from this on the left. All that is visible is a long piece of 1" red webbing. Anyone got the skinny on these two routes? The highly protected bolted route on the right was a lot of fun, but I did not make an attempt at the route on the left.

[Nate]

Went back to Ripple today and ran into a few other intrepid parties. If your agile and lucky you can probably make it back there without getting wet, however considering i'm neither, i ended up with one wet boot. The ice is good, starting to get a little sloppy and aerated, but definitely worth it if you have an evening to kill