Missoula Area Ice Conditions

Description

This year, we include a forum for: Bitterroot Mountain Climbs, Finley Creek Drainage, and Mission Falls conditions; also the Rainbow Falls area near Plains, MT.

Missoula Ice overview 12/22

Submitted by jselwyn on Tue, 12/22/2009 - 11:48

Here's a general overview of the conditions:

Finley: Thing in Between is fat, Weedeater is fat after the start (left hand start not in), bottom pitch of graineater not close, foxes corner no, upper graineater is looking good, daggers were looking great but things were falling sunday with warm temps and rain

Mission: Ice is in on main wall but thin in spots and really wet, whispering ice not close, ice bridge is in, watch for falling ice on all walls

Dynamo: Ice exists but no where close to climbing conditions (2nd hand info from good source)

Cascade Falls Dec 20th?

Submitted by brett on Sun, 12/20/2009 - 15:36

it was raining like crazy today, but we thought it wise to check out cascade falls anyways.  there were two crazy dudes snorkeling up the damn thing despite an effin geyser pouring out of the top.  i took some pics.  it's a sweet-looking climb, but we didn't attempt.  (left the scuba gear at home).  i'll post the pics soon.  meantime, who was climbing that thing?

Plains Ice

Submitted by theblythlyway on Wed, 12/09/2009 - 11:14

Climbed Cascade falls yesterday and it was in fine shape suddenly.  Can't recommend this climb enough as an introduction to ice, and or fine early/all season soloing.

Rainbow Falls is very thin as of Sunday the 6th, needs more moisture, but it is probably about ready after these last few days of cold.  Now it's just getting to it through the iced up river.

Bear Creek

Submitted by jselwyn on Mon, 12/07/2009 - 16:22

Went down to bear creek this morning hoping to find something with the cold weather but was totally disappointed.  There is almost zero snow on the southside of the canyon, which means no ice anywhere in sight.  It looked like summer time.  Lets all hope we get some moisture so we'll have ice. 

I'm guessing blodgett falls may be worth checking out.  There looks to be much more snow on the south facing wall and there should be decent water flow. 

Finley Dec 4, 09

Submitted by jselwyn on Fri, 12/04/2009 - 17:13

Took the gear for a walk up finley today and didn't find much worth climbing.  Weedeater has ice but isn't close to being in.  The daggers area, mule palace, thing in between have ice but not much at all.  First pitch of graineater is almost completely dry and so are both pitches of fox corner.  The upper pitch of graineater is probably climbable, but is steep, hard, and thin.  Drive to bozeman