Ohioans seek snow+ice for training

Regional discussion and conditions reports for the Eastern US. Please post partners requests and trip plans in the Eastern US Climbing Partners section.
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bazzel

 
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Ohioans seek snow+ice for training

by bazzel » Fri Dec 24, 2010 5:36 am

Hey all,

So I'll give the obligatory preface - i've searched... I promise... With its lack of success, I thought I'd give a post up here a shot. If I missed it, I'm sorry... But also thank you for finding, because I couldn't...

So we are two climbers+backpackers with considerable experience in both from travels all over the country over a number of years. So we know when things aren't safe (and turn around), we're good on rope work, packing, planning, etc., etc.

We're both moving towards getting into mountaineering, though. We did Mt Wash last Feb via Lion's Head (used crampons, but otherwise a walk in the park), but are looking for a playground where we can work on our skills. Problem is, we live in Ohio - Columbus to be specific.

So we're looking for help in maybe (hopefully?) tracking down someplace with snow and a steep slope that isn't a 12 hour drive to the Adirondacks, as we only have a small window from 27th to 31st... In searching I've come across knob Smith's Knob in northern central PA, and that's about it...

To be clear, though, we're not dead set on a mountain, really (although if not, maybe within just a few hrs of a ski slope instead?) What we're more looking for is a good, snowy, steep place to practice our skills live (like arrests, rope management on the go, learning to quickly set up belays, etc. - the kind of stuff that you need snow and slope to really practice out with your hands). A place we can pause and spend some time going over things multiple times and getting comfortable... not needing to rush to finish a route.

So if you have any ideas, we'd be very appreciative. I hope you all have a safe and happy holiday. Cheers!

-Chris

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soad

 
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Re: Ohioans seek snow+ice for training

by soad » Mon Dec 27, 2010 2:03 am

The Slippery Rock Gorge in McConnells Mill State Park (about 45 miles north of Pittsburgh), has some areas that may work. Total elevation gain from Slippery Rock Creek to the rim may only be 300' but you could have a choice of near vertical walls down to simple uphill walking.

http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/mcconnellsmill.aspx

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Jerry L

 
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Re: Ohioans seek snow+ice for training

by Jerry L » Mon Jan 03, 2011 10:25 am

So, where did you go ? How was it ?

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bazzel

 
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Re: Ohioans seek snow+ice for training

by bazzel » Wed Jan 12, 2011 2:10 am

thanks for the feedback guys! I thought I had email notification of replies and after checking back through xmas day I figured thread was dead - pleasant surprise now!

So I ended up getting terrible food poisoning from buffalo wild wings a few days after xmas and spent the rest of my break nursing myself back to normal foods - fail :-(

We had found two hikes in GSMNP that we were going to aim for and we were really excited because at the time they had over a foot of snow from that sagging cold front, and it was only about 6-7h drive. But again, for another time.

I will definitely be checking out Slippery Rock Gorge as that can be had in under 4 hours from Columbus - perfect weekend excursion. For now, you're right Pela, I'm just keeping up on the cardio and that hangboard over my doorframe (with a few other workouts).

If you're living in the midwest and love mountains and rock you'll be sure to get good in at least one thing - driving! I'm used to marathon drives and all nighters, it is just tough now being in grad school - a lot more has to happen during my "time off."

Anyways, thanks again!

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xDoogiex

 
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Re: Ohioans seek snow+ice for training

by xDoogiex » Wed Jan 12, 2011 9:02 pm

Ohio sucks. I live in akron

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Sarah Simon

 
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Re: Ohioans seek snow+ice for training

by Sarah Simon » Wed Jan 12, 2011 9:47 pm

xDoogiex wrote:Ohio sucks. I live in akron


Bless your heart. :cry:

...I guess there's always :twisted: Gravelrama :lol: down near Cleves: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VZnPGgXvjs
Go climb a mountain

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xDoogiex

 
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Re: Ohioans seek snow+ice for training

by xDoogiex » Sat Jan 15, 2011 3:02 am

sarah.simon wrote:
xDoogiex wrote:Ohio sucks. I live in akron


Bless your heart. :cry:

...I guess there's always :twisted: Gravelrama :lol: down near Cleves: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VZnPGgXvjs



Cincy is a 4hr drive from me. i thought cleves was gonna be cleveland at first :(


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