Sunday we headed up to Hidden Falls in Rocky Mountain National Park. The "falls" are a
favorite for area ice climbers due to its short approach and dependable flow.
Unfortunately it tends to prove the casualty of the masses theory. The falls aren't
actually a true waterfall and you won't find it on the RMNP map. Instead it is a
snowmelt runoff that happens to have the right topography to form an icefall. Great
climb if you can hit it when it is newly formed. Not so great after the hoards of
climbers have gotten to it. Due its high traffic and low water flow (healing abilities)
we found it amazingly stepped out. You could climb the ~60ft climb without swinging a
tool or crampon when we found it. On our arrival we found the falls with three other
parties on the main falls, which is about 25ft across. This was entertaining to watch
several climbers rain down ice chunks onto each other. We decided to climb the small
unoccupied ice flow to the left of the main falls. It was wet but kept us entertained
until several groups vacated the main falls. We all did a few laps on both flows and
then we called it a day and headed back to boulder where we stopped for dinner and
drinks at Southern Sun. Southern Sun is a brewpub/restaurant which never disappoints.
Good food and excellent beer. I suggest the Java Porter or Annapurna Amber. They also
have some great happy hour specials similar to Vine St. Pub in Denver (their sister
store). Plus they are right next to Neptune Mountaineering.
 |
| Hidden Fall (Main Flow) |
 |
| Playing around the small neglected flow |
 |
| Main flow was more staircase then ice climb |
 |
| Crystal giving Mel some extra weight to keep her on the ground |
No comments:
Post a Comment