New NS Ice

[mike]

After years of pondering, I feel I'm close to discovering a new ice climbing area. Actually, I guess 'discovering' may not be the right term... 'creating' is a more fitting term.
Preliminary construction is complete and the high tech water dispursement system was engaged at approx. 4:22pm, December 25 (Go Santa!), 2008.
Expectations are high, as the mercury is forecast to be sub zero until Sunday morning.
Progress reporting to follow...

Conan... ever come acrossed a temperature controlled, 1/2" ball valve? One of those would be SWEET!

[The Mitt]

And where would this Ice be? We need details man

Sean

[peter]

Pictures, my friend, we need pictures.

You know, there is a lonely fire hydrant just sitting there, minding its own business, right above the cliff in North End Halifax known as "The Pitt" (top of Novalea, facing the McKay Bridge). Just thought I would mention that, in the hope that it would meet with an accident.

Peter

[mike]

After a mere 16 hours: water+cold=ice. I know, I know... basic grade 1 science, but I was quite excite to see the results.
Currently there is a 30' high column of ice about 1.5' in diameter. The column is spreading out laterally along a 1"x 1" mesh net that is set up like 2 sails at 90 degrees apart from each other. There is yet another 20' to 25' to continue upwards and once a good solid base is formed the water supply will be repositioned.

Preliminary observations have revealed the need for better water distribution. New prototypes are currently in the humm and haaa stage, with construction and implimentation soon to follow.

I did take a picture... but unfortunately... I don't know how to post it.

[mike]

Oh yes.. understandably, the location has to remain TOP SECRET until opening day... actually, opening night! I'm hoping for a Wednesday night ice series. The location is ripe with 110v power, extension cords and halogen lighting!

[Eager]

I think I have a good idea where this "secret ice" location might be. So will Wednesday night ice require two points of contact Mike?

[Zamboni]

Temp control ball valve, Not that simple. Are you trying to restirict the temp of the water flow, of for it to turn on when the air around it reaches a certain sub temp?

Cb.

[mike]

I'd like to get one that turns the water on and off at -.5C
Wishful thinking, I'm guessing. Sure would cut down on driving time though.

Mike

[szymiec]

so I decided to google 'temperature controlled water valve' and this is me feeling lucky:

http://www.spiraxsarco.com/resources/st ... ystems.asp

Its actually pretty interesting stuff, if you're bored...

C

[mike]

After our warm wet weekend, it's all tied up at 1-1.
Ice 1: Water 1

I turned the water off before it got warm but it all melted anyway. I turned the water back on tonight though

Mike

[Matt Peck]

PICTURES MAN!

[mike]

Unfortunately, I had to stop the project this morning.

The tower was constructed with concrete piles surrounded with compacted gravel. The gravel was then covered with ashphalt.

What is happening is that the water is getting into the gravel and seeping out through a seam in the ashphalt. I'm afraid that a really cold night could cause the under-ashphalt water to freeze and either buckle the pavement or, worse, cause the tower to shift.

You can't win if you don't play... and unfortunately... this is one of those times where playing did not result in a win.

Mike

[szymiec]

Tarps man! Drainage! Sex lights!

dont give up brother, it sounds like an excellent project.

c

[mike]

Take 2, Day 2...40 hours of cold and a little bit of water...yippppeeeeee!!!

[Zamboni]

I'll bring the beer, Mike will you look after the DJ? When does the party start!

Cb.

[joysquirts]

thats a beautiful thing! really i get an ice cold chub just looking at it!
im pretty sure that secret tower was sketch in a small gust of wind hahaha maybe the a few thousand pounds of ice from top to bottom will stable it up! you know keep that frame rigid!! haha

[mike]

Day 3, 7:30am:
BRRRRR!!! -13C right now. Couldn't sleep due to dreams of ice.
The ice is forming nicely on the front face with little trickles of water while the majority of water is running on the inside of the tower. Probably a good thing for structural support- right now there are significant icicles growing on all the tower's horizontal members and it shouldn't be much longer before they join together and form one big, thick 50' structural support.
It's still a bit thin to predict an opening day... but I've got my fingers crossed for Tuesday evening.

[chameleon]

Awesome Mike! You go first.
Makes our "ice" bouldering in the quarry seem kinda silly!

[mike]

ALRIGHTY THEN!!!!!

Against my better judgement (the adult voice), I am hereby announcing (the more highly regarded child voice) the grand opening of 'Dirty RAT'... Nova Scotia's newest and most artificial ice climbing venue.

Tuesday January 13th, 2009... 6pm, 61 Atlantic St., Dartmouth, NS- turn right at the Timmies, 3/4 up the hill turn right again at the RAT sign

Conan and others... Beer is welcome
Peter... if you could email me the waiver I'd appreciate it
DJ... well that's XM Radio
Lights... one music sensitive light controller with 3 halogen lamps
Todd... night session pt.2????

I was just on top of the tower with a cordless drill, made a couple of well placed new holes in the hose, stuffed the glacier quality chub back into the top of my jean trousers and headed home. Everything looks GREAT!

VSOP... errr...RSVP if you plan on attending please.
Mike

[mike]

whoops... fork goes in my right hand.... both of those turn are lefts

[beyond_gravity]

how crap dude...when I was skimming over this, I thought it was just somebody screwing around in their backyard. That thing is insane!

I'd love to drop by on Tuesday and check it out.

[Rich]

Mike - I'll be there Tuesday - sign me up!

[chameleon]

The pink boots will be there.

[Seb]

Mike,

You can count me in too!! On that note, would anybody who’s in the neighborhood of Spring Garden be willing to give me a ride on Tuesday?

Seb

[beyond_gravity]

Mike,

You can count me in too!! On that note, would anybody who’s in the neighborhood of Spring Garden be willing to give me a ride on Tuesday?

Seb

I can give you a lift if you need one, although I won't be able to leave untill around 6:30

[chossmonkey]

Holy sweet CONTENT MODERATED!!


That's pretty rad.

[Zamboni]

Let me know how the session goes! I hope there will be another, I'll be stuck in NoFunswick till Friday!

[mike]

Those additional holes in the hose last night really helped fill in the gaps!

[Seb]

I can give you a lift if you need one, although I won't be able to leave untill around 6:30

Hey,

That would be great! Could you please email me at sebastian.launcelott@gmail.com to arrange the details?

Thanks,
Seb

[pulldown]

Mike, Looks Rad! One Question. How are the pad placements? Does the ice make the crash pad slip away when you fall on it?
OK. That was two questions but they weren't very clever so i guess that might equal one.

Would love to shoot some video but i'm totally tied up right now. If there is anyone handy with a camera, i could make my gear available.

Todd