Crampons and ice axes, the tools of the trade, are tricky to maneuver and give the word ‘delicate’ a new poignancy around a life-line of rope.
“Ice, Ice, baby!” shouted my friend, Laura. Her eyes sparkled with excitement and her fist shot into the air as she retrieved the latest ice report from NEIce.com. Her buzz was contagious and I knew I wanted some! She promised exhilaration and physical challenge akin to rock climbing; I just had to play!
Tackling a vertical waterfall in the Catskills with a guy I thought was trying to kill me was my first go round. Without any direction I slammed the ice so hard, I thought I broke a rib (or two). Being a former rock climbing guide, I was sure it did not have to be this difficult or injurious and was questioning my own sanity at being out here with this guy.
Tackling a vertical waterfall in the Catskills with a guy I thought was trying to kill me was my first go round. Without any direction I slammed the ice so hard, I thought I broke a rib (or two). Being a former rock climbing guide, I was sure it did not have to be this difficult or injurious and was questioning my own sanity at being out here with this guy.