Ice Conditions - Update January 9/05

[Peter]

So ... Checked out the Fundy Shore today, and it looks good for ice climbing. Others were out at Gilbraltar today, and we have already climbed at Truro. So, ...

Gilbraltar: climbable except let the thin face to left grow a bit more.

Truro: climbable, but go easy around the cave in the centre.

Canada Creek: has not formed again this year. Zero. Nada. Forget it: it's history. Something must have changed up top.

Hall's Harbour: thin but quite climbable on the left, facing the water, and looks formed (big ice) to the right. Found a better way in to the stuff far left (facing the water): drive 1.8 km from the restraunt/wharf entrace to the south, and do the first big left, turning to follow the shore. 1.8 from start look for a chain driveway gate on right, numbered "49". Park, walk up unplowed drive past (nice) house, and head right (north) along shore. Three + routes within 300m up the shore toward Hall's, with easy top rope access and quick exit at high tide.

Baxter's Harbour: the central cone is not fully formed, water is spraying down, but the ice on the left (facing the shore) is pretty thick, and the right will fill in (a difficult top-rope at present, but doable). There seems to have been a storm surge, or unusually high tides, as the ice seems higher off the ground than normal.

Flintstone Quarry: led the back left on Saturday, and top-roped on the main (right) area; take it easy around the flowing water, it has a way to go to fill in. Lots of water, and enough ice to climb. Pick a colder day.

Deep Cove: haven't been there since Dec. 26/04, when it was very patchy. Has anyone else? Can anyone take a look this week? Worth knowing before next weekend, as it is tide-free.

The tides for next Sunday for Baxter's are:

2005-01-16 (Sunday)
high tide 04:19 a.m.
low tide 10:27 a.m.
high tide 16:43 p.m.
low tide 22:53 p.m.

I would say it is a go.

Found some new, long and lean ice today, near an existing area. Awesome, could be WI5. Can't wait to get on it. Earlier found a nice thin quarry ice line elsewhere. Parker and I have it tagged. Looks like a good season brewing.

Peter