Ascending Icicles
Jake Strzelecki explores the wild side of the Finger Lakes Area
Jake Strzelecki `02
Issue date: 4/5/01 Section: Features
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Winter is thought of by some as a time to either snuggle up in the warmth of their homes or brave the elements in search of adventure. I, too, sought out adventure this winter season in the great outdoors. However, it was not in descending some ice encrusted ski slope. Rather, I sought to tackle an ice obstacle head on, and with the help of Cornell Outdoor Education, I got my wish. I went ice climbing.
My adventure began one cold Saturday morning with the ringing of my alarm clock at 5:30 am. I peeled myself out of bed 3 snoozes later, packed up my gear, and headed up to the Field House to meet my climbing companions. The trip was scheduled for two days with the evening in between spent at a cabin described to us as “nothing better than a roof and four walls in the woods.” Thanks to all the borrowed outdoor clothing in my pack, however, I was confident I would not go cold.
Our destination was Salmon River, about one and a half hours north of Ithaca. We arrived after a turbulent van ride and were greeted by a frigid wind that numbed any exposed skin in an instant. We collected our gear and hurriedly made our way into the woods then down into the shelter of the Salmon River valley. We descended a handful of switchback trails before reaching a steep section that was best descended by sliding down on our butts. Whee! Walking through the valley was like walking through a winter wonderland. Ice had accumulated over the river and formed lily pads of snow. At our backs was a gigantic waterfall partially frozen over. To our right the steep section of the valley rose up to the lip of the valley. On our left a snow shrouded forest stretched off to the other side of the valley. We trekked for a few minutes before being greeted with the objective for the day, a wall of solid ice.
It looked like a waterfall that had been suddenly frozen. Two distinct sections were visible from where I stood. The lower section had smooth features of blue and white and was about 30 feet high. The upper section was about 30 feet high and was dominated by giant, white icicles. The two sections met at a small ledge. That ledge would be the top of our climb due to the fragile nature of the icicles above.
My adventure began one cold Saturday morning with the ringing of my alarm clock at 5:30 am. I peeled myself out of bed 3 snoozes later, packed up my gear, and headed up to the Field House to meet my climbing companions. The trip was scheduled for two days with the evening in between spent at a cabin described to us as “nothing better than a roof and four walls in the woods.” Thanks to all the borrowed outdoor clothing in my pack, however, I was confident I would not go cold.
Our destination was Salmon River, about one and a half hours north of Ithaca. We arrived after a turbulent van ride and were greeted by a frigid wind that numbed any exposed skin in an instant. We collected our gear and hurriedly made our way into the woods then down into the shelter of the Salmon River valley. We descended a handful of switchback trails before reaching a steep section that was best descended by sliding down on our butts. Whee! Walking through the valley was like walking through a winter wonderland. Ice had accumulated over the river and formed lily pads of snow. At our backs was a gigantic waterfall partially frozen over. To our right the steep section of the valley rose up to the lip of the valley. On our left a snow shrouded forest stretched off to the other side of the valley. We trekked for a few minutes before being greeted with the objective for the day, a wall of solid ice.
It looked like a waterfall that had been suddenly frozen. Two distinct sections were visible from where I stood. The lower section had smooth features of blue and white and was about 30 feet high. The upper section was about 30 feet high and was dominated by giant, white icicles. The two sections met at a small ledge. That ledge would be the top of our climb due to the fragile nature of the icicles above.