The Following

Inspired by Alex Lowe's famous solo of the Ames Ice Hose, the author retraces his footsteps and learns a lesson in fear.

- Jeremy Joseph

The orchards and meadows around Paonia in western Colorado were greening after a snowy winter.

Are you really going ice climbing? It’s practically spring, I thought. You are only an hour from home, and should probably turn around.

I pulled over, killed the ignition and sat for a moment. Rationalizing that I could always change my mind over the next three hours of driving—an easy fail-safe—I turned the keys and continued south on Highway 133 toward Delta.

I hoped to connect with my friend Danny and climb Ingram Falls, a spectacular two-pitch pillar of ice above Telluride, but he didn’t answer his phone or email to confirm. I drove to his house anyway and knocked on his door. No answer.

It was time for Plan B: Rather than waste a long drive, I would solo the Ames Ice Hose.