A father and son team from New York came to us hoping to do some ice climbing, to take an intro course, but also asked that they get exposed to mountaineering skills such as studying the use of crampons and ice axe. These skills, the father mentioned, will ultimately be more useful in the short term. If we can give someone a cake and let them eat it, too, our guests win, and so do we. Spending the day with this duo, offering this day, showing them the ropes quite literally, was Redline Guide Pat Ferland.
Our guests joined us today for an intro to ice class at the north end of Cathedral Ledge, with some mountaineering skills added in at the end. They decided to try to ice climbing during the February school vacation. It took them a couple laps on the pillars to get the hang of how to use crampons and ice tools on vertical ice, but they both did great during multiple laps — until their arms gave out! Then we switched over to the mountaineering skills section. I also taught them to make V-threads, do body rappels, and try a little self arrest before walking out. They both had big smiles on their faces after a great day out at the cliffs. —Pat
