Directions
There are two falls here. Besides the main falls, there is a second falls to the south and west. Although it doesn't have a formal name, we refered to this second falls as Hidden Falls.
This is the view down the valley (east) from the falls. Torch Lake is in the distance.
This is me on one of my first ice climbs. I'm wearing old leather ski boots and glacier crampons. The tool in my right hand is the same Forrest hammer I still occasionally use.
My partner Ed also on one of his first ice climbs.
Ed nearing the top of the falls.
My house mate Chris on one of his first ice climbs. He had to leave early, so we told him to pull up the half of the rope he was tied into and throw it down to us. I guess we forgot to specify that he leave the rope through the 'biners because we got the whole rope in our laps.
Looking down the Hidden Falls Valley. Thats my head poking into the left side of the picture.
My first lead on ice was accidental. Not knowing about the second falls, Matt and I decided to explore. We hiked past the top of it and scrambled down a steep rocky slope. About halfway down, we saw the falls. We also realized that we weren't going to make it back up the way we came down. It also got a lot steeper below us. So rather than climb up bare rock with ice tools and no pro, I traversed to the falls and lead to the top. Another interesting note, it was about -20 F that day.
Me at the top of my first lead.
Matt preparing to climb.
Matt nearing the top.
Matt on the bottom. You can get an idea af how quickly the quality of the ice can change. This was within 2 weeks of the previous two pictures.
Matt near the top again.
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