Inspired by Alex Lowe's famous solo of the Ames Ice Hose, the author retraces his footsteps and learns a lesson in fear.
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.
This story is from the April 2017, #241 edition of Rock and Ice.
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This story is from the April 2017, #241 edition of Rock and Ice.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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