Randy Cassingham's Blog

Posted by Trish, Canada on January 15, 2007:

Fabulous pictues, I loved seeing them. Have to say though, no force on earth could get me to try this! *shudder*

---

We have climbers come here every winter from all over the world. Even Canada!

:-)

Posted by Michelle Devon on January 15, 2007:

Wow! These are amazing pictures!!! On another note, I think Colorado sent the winter weather to us here in Texas. I'm in West Texas, and we rarely get below 50 here, and today, we actually were hovering around zero to 25 all day! There's ice on everything - my 12 year old son said, "I've never seen so much ice in my life!"

He hasn't either - it doesn't get that cold here, ever! (till now!)

Posted by Alice, California on January 16, 2007:

Great pictures! I also looked at your weather station ... and that is why I like California, where we think freezing starts at maybe 45 and rarely makes 32. Those waterfalls are stunning, though.

Posted by Rene, Austria on January 16, 2007:

Fantastic pictures! Is there anyplace there, where non-ice-climbing folk can watch this event, because it surely would be spectacular.

The only thing I'd rather not have, is that kind of temperature, even if farmers here would like it, so their winter-crops'd not yet grow and the ice-wine can be finished...

---

Yes, as noted there are plenty of safe places to watch the climbing, including two bridges and platforms on the cliff top above. -rc

Posted by Andrita on January 16, 2007:

Thanks for the pictures, they assured me that this is a very extreme sport. Not my cup of tea, but kudos to the brave souls who master this wall of ice.

Posted by Holly on January 16, 2007:

Yeah, EMS!!!

It is photos like this that make the Outside community take notice of the dedication of the nations Paid and Volunteer EMS.

As dangerous as this looked, I am totally aware that the more routine calls are just as hazardous. If not more.

This just was more fun.

Posted by Ken, Colorado on January 16, 2007:

It's not been any warmer on this side of the mountains (I'm over in Westminster, northern suburb of Denver). This is the longest I've seen snow stick around in many years.

It's not the same thing, but I'd recommend visiting Breckenridge for the Ice Sculpting festival. Those folks that do the carving do some marvelous work. You can find more info here - note that I have no connection with the festival except as an amazed viewer.

Posted by Phil on January 16, 2007:

So who is the guy carrying the strecher without a Helmet? He must have missed the memo.

---

He's a topside-based rescue guy. Since he was not in the gorge nor climbing, there's nothing above him -- and a helmet isn't needed. Spectators don't need them either; the shot, as noted, is on top of the cliff. -rc

Posted by Denise in Jamestown, NC on January 16, 2007:

You would think that the "permanent rescue platform and ladder" would serve as a warning -- not a challenge! -- to these climbers!!!

Nope, you won't see me there. Growing up in Los Angeles was daring enough for my lifetime. ;-)

Posted by Bryan in Colorado on January 18, 2007:

On a technical side, did you have any issues using that point & shoot in the colder weather? I note it, like mine, claims a lower operating temperature of 32F, which has kept me from taking some outside pictures myself...

---

As I recall, it was in the range of 15-20F. I was definitely keeping the chill in mind, and wondering about the effect on the camera (a tiny Fuji), but it didn't seem to be bothered. Between shots I kept it in my coat pocket in an attempt to shield it from the cold, but I didn't go so far as to, say, keep it in my shirt pocket, where it would be actively warmed (in part because I thought the back-and-forth transition between very cold and much warmer might not be A Good Thing).... -rc