So I climbed in an ice storm...

[TREEfool]

I never realized how much I rely on the friction of my shoes against the tree bark while climbing. Attempting to climb a tree which was covered in a sheet of ice changed that.

This was probably the most stupid climb I have been on in a long time. Between the ice and the wind so many things could have gone wrong but I decided to go for it anyway. I had originally planned to camp for the night but the crackling of the tree canopy freaked me out and I decided to play it safe. This climb was ironic given that I end all my videos by saying "goodbye and be safe" haha.

Here is a short clip of the adventure:

 

[Jonny]

See I always kinda associated recreation with fun or relaxation. That looks more like punishment.

Some loop runners girth hitched can offer a stable place to stand or step.

 

[TREEfool]

Some loop runners girth hitched can offer a stable place to stand or step.

ahhh. this would have helped me greatly!

 

[TimBr]

@TREEfool; I'd be interested in hearing what the temperature was on the day, what the wind speed guess would be, and how well you managed to stay warm.

The clothing setup for such conditions, too, if you don't mind discussing it. I'm one who is having a tough time convincing myself to go ahead and climb in those conditions, so any thoughts you have on staying warm and comfortable at times like those would be most appreciated. Thanks.

Tim

 

[Burrapeg]

Brrrrrrr! Sod that! The only climbing I want to do, when it is that cold and windy, is back into the bed with a big mug of hot buttered rum and a good book to read!

 

[CanadianStan]

Where’s the crampons and ice axes treefool ? Definitely the way to be climbing if there’s ice build up on trees
I had to do a number of reductions on similarly coated trees last year after a bit ice storm. Sometimes spurring the ice was effective, other times I was just building girth-hitched webbing loop ladders all the way out to the ends

 

[Tom Dunlap]

After an ice storm I put on my plastic boots and Foot Fangs for doing removals. It was pretty strange to front point up ice covered stems

 

[TREEfool]

@TREEfool; I'd be interested in hearing what the temperature was on the day, what the wind speed guess would be, and how well you managed to stay warm.

The clothing setup for such conditions, too, if you don't mind discussing it. I'm one who is having a tough time convincing myself to go ahead and climb in those conditions, so any thoughts you have on staying warm and comfortable at times like those would be most appreciated. Thanks.

Tim

15 degrees Fahrenheit. I am great at guessing temps but horrible at guessing wind speeds, I couldn't even ballpark the wind speed. But I was perfectly comfortable.

I used to put on my new outdoor gear, stand in the shower, and then go outside in the middle of winter for a run to see how well the gear worked. I was obsessed with learning first-hand what worked and what didn't because I did not want to be caught in the middle of a wilderness wishing that I had brought different gear.

I plan to make a big video about this in the near future but long story short: microfiber polyester baselayer top (marmot ether is my fav choice by far), synthetic belay jacket at least 100g fill, and a NOT waterproof stretch polyester jacket shell to protect belay jacket from abrasion while climbing. ALL LAYERS HAVE A HOOD!!!!

For pants I use a microfiber fleece base with a schoeller fabric (non waterproof) pants on top.

Mittens or lobster gloves for the hands. I can never keep my hands warm in fingered gloves.

 

[TREEfool]

Where’s the crampons and ice axes treefool ? Definitely the way to be climbing if there’s ice build up on trees
I had to do a number of reductions on similarly coated trees last year after a bit ice storm. Sometimes spurring the ice was effective, other times I was just building girth-hitched webbing loop ladders all the way out to the ends

I was thinking this too. I wonder if microspikes would work and still not damage the tree.

Thanks for sharing that exiciting video @TREEfool! The weather conditions looked brutal.

Ha! I sold my ice tools and crampons when my son was born but I think they would have made this alot easier. I actually slipped and had my first unintended swing into the tree and smashed my back. No injuries but it hurt.

 

[TREEfool]

After an ice storm I put on my plastic boots and Foot Fangs for doing removals. It was pretty strange to front point up ice covered stems

I imagine that when you say "strange" you actually meant "super freaking cool" because that sounds awesome!

 

[Tom Dunlap]

Yeah!

After a day of ice climbing at the Brickyards in St Paul I stopped in a county park to climb a dead, debarked American elm. It took a few steps and whacks with my tools to get a feel for the climb.

This was st the time when I was just starting to use SRT for access. Tools and crampons were harder than rope climbing. Ice covered trees are another matter. Using the skip on studded grippers seems like a good option

 

[FreeFallin]

Very cool, gonna try an icy one in a couple weeks here, looks like fun. Hey, how are we supposed to get together to rec climb if your in South Dakota, did you think about that? Oh well, maybe I will become the roving climber and ride the rails with my rope to finally meet everyone.

 

[FreeFallin]

I would certainly consider a roadtrip to go climbing with @TREEfool and @FreeFallin !

That would be awesome, i need to plan some group rec climbs in the future.

 

[Scratch]

That would be awesome, i need to plan some group rec climbs in the future.

I see some Wisconsin, Minnesota, and South Dakota members here... I'm in Western Wisconsin myself so sign me up if you do!

 

[TREEfool]

Very cool, gonna try an icy one in a couple weeks here, looks like fun. Hey, how are we supposed to get together to rec climb if your in South Dakota, did you think about that? Oh well, maybe I will become the roving climber and ride the rails with my rope to finally meet everyone.

I would certainly consider a roadtrip to go climbing with @TREEfool and @FreeFallin !

Heck ya! There are so many guys on this forum whom I want to climb with that I forget where everyone lives, haha. I think we should plan a big recreational climb somewhere in the area for next summer. I will start trying to find a good location with big trees and permission to climb.

 

[Treezybreez]

TREEfool, I'm glad you already have a kid, because I suspect your cojones froze off on that climb.

I turned up the house thermostat and I'm heating up some hot coco after watching that.

 

[Burrapeg]

Heck ya! There are so many guys on this forum whom I want to climb with that I forget where everyone lives, haha. I think we should plan a big recreational climb somewhere in the area for next summer. I will start trying to find a good location with big trees and permission to climb.

Wish I lived closer! Rats. It would be absolutely ripping to climb with you guys.

 

[moss]

I climbed in snow and sleet the other day and my hitch froze to itself and to the rope, was pretty interesting. For a few seconds I thought I was now in self rescue mode ;-) I stood up on my foot ascender, unweighted the hitch and banged on it straight down a couple times and it broke free. Did a rapid descent to heat things up and resumed climbing. This was with a rope wrench and hitch.
-AJ

 

[moss]

That was

I never realized how much I rely on the friction of my shoes against the tree bark while climbing. Attempting to climb a tree which was covered in a sheet of ice changed that.

This was probably the most stupid climb I have been on in a long time. Between the ice and the wind so many things could have gone wrong but I decided to go for it anyway. I had originally planned to camp for the night but the crackling of the tree canopy freaked me out and I decided to play it safe. This climb was ironic given that I end all my videos by saying "goodbye and be safe" haha.

Here is a short clip of the adventure:

That was great! I’ve thought I should sew big fabric triangle shaped flaps on the opposite sides base of my cube and pin them down with rocks or pieces of wood for heavy winds. It would be called “The Expeditionary Cube” ;-) The alternating girthing technique you used is my bread and butter when advancing is otherwise not happening, nice work, the last shots are priceless.
-AJ

 

[TimBr]

@TREEfool; I'd be interested in hearing what the temperature was on the day, what the wind speed guess would be, and how well you managed to stay warm.

The clothing setup for such conditions, too, if you don't mind discussing it. I'm one who is having a tough time convincing myself to go ahead and climb in those conditions, so any thoughts you have on staying warm and comfortable at times like those would be most appreciated. Thanks.

Tim

15 degrees Fahrenheit. I am great at guessing temps but horrible at guessing wind speeds, I couldn't even ballpark the wind speed. But I was perfectly comfortable.

I used to put on my new outdoor gear, stand in the shower, and then go outside in the middle of winter for a run to see how well the gear worked. I was obsessed with learning first-hand what worked and what didn't because I did not want to be caught in the middle of a wilderness wishing that I had brought different gear.

I plan to make a big video about this in the near future but long story short: microfiber polyester baselayer top (marmot ether is my fav choice by far), synthetic belay jacket at least 100g fill, and a NOT waterproof stretch polyester jacket shell to protect belay jacket from abrasion while climbing. ALL LAYERS HAVE A HOOD!!!!

For pants I use a microfiber fleece base with a schoeller fabric (non waterproof) pants on top.

Mittens or lobster gloves for the hands. I can never keep my hands warm in fingered gloves.

Ok, TREEfool, thanks so much for your comprehensive and very interesting answers to my questions! First off, if it was 15 degrees Fahrenheit outside on the day, I would estimate the wind chill factor temperature to be around zero or a little above, maybe. So it is amazing to me that you felt comfortable the whole time in those conditions. I think you may be a new hero of mine.

Your second paragraph is amazing to me, with regard to your dedication to finding out the truth of things. I really appreciate you mentioning the fact that you went to that extreme.

Thanks for detailing your clothing selection as mentioned in your third paragraph. I'd be interested in hearing why it is that you emphasize the use of NON waterproof clothing at various times in your description? Is it that the waterproof layers trap too much moisture and make you sweat too much? How do you manage to stay dry with the clothing you mention? I'm probably missing something simple, here.

I really am looking forward to seeing your video on this subject, if you manage to find the time to commit your thoughts on this subject to video. Thanks again for posting your video, and for answering my questions. It is greatly appreciated.

Tim

P.S. If it is ok with the moderators here, any links you can provide to the specific pieces of clothing that you have proof-tested and recommend would be greatly appreciated.