Ice Climbing Browns Peak
As y’all may know, I am always looking to try new things. Thanks to Colorado State University’s Outdoor Program, I was able to go on an introductory ice-climbing trip in Wyoming. They provided gear, loaded us up into a van, and we headed out to the Snowy Range.
The car ride was pretty, and the skies were looking pretty clear when we got there. We grabbed all of our gear, and our group set out on our hike. The trail was absolutely breath-taking from the trees, to the light snow.
That’s my best friend (on the right) before I knew she was my best friend.
A shore view of one of the many mountain lakes.
The hike up to the glacier was nothing new, but once we got there, I began to learn a lot of new things. We put on our crampons, gators, and harnesses. Next, Andrew went around the glacier up to the top to tie down all of the ropes. We then watched our other guide demonstrate how to use our ice axes and ice tools as he climbed the glacier. We all then walked up to the top of the glacier, where we took turns rappelling down the mountain, and then climbing back up the glacier. It was such a cool new feeling, and we could see for miles around us (until the snowstorm that is).
A happy gal when it starts to snow.
Just after the ascent!
My BFF and I.
Climbing on up.
Once the snow began, it came down hard, and it came down fast. It went from being able to see for miles and miles, to almost zero visibility. For reference, the picture of me smiling all big with my red bandanna is take in the same spot that the next photo is taken. It made the experience all the more exciting, and it was my first snow to see since I moved out of California!
Locke and I looking like badasses, no big deal.
This new experience was super fun, and it was great to add a new skill to my toolbox. I had never done anything like this, especially since I grew up in a place with so little precipitation, let alone snow. I hope that there are more opportunities to do this in the future.
