December 11-15, 2013
I returned to the Bozeman Icefest again this year, once again for work–slightly less doe-eyed than last year however. Â Many of the climbing luminaries I met last year were present as well as a few new ones. Â It was great to meet Ines Papert, Jay Smith, and Dave Macleod, Sam Elias.
Unlike last year I drove up to Montana. Â Matt and I headed up in the Subie with 172,000+ miles. Â Weather was expected to be clear for the weekend so no major snowstorms to worry about. Â We left the morning of Dec. 11 for the 6.5 hour drive. Â Overall it was a pretty easy drive except for going through a pass at Island Park were it was snowing a bit and the last 60 miles where there was some packed ice on the roads. Â Nothing too worrisome but did slow our pace from the posted 70mph limit (thank you MT!).
I stayed with Kathy and Frank Coyle for the weekend who were the best hosts. Â Breakfast, coffee, furry friends-Sharma and Lotse greeted me each morning. Â Staying with the Coyles was also great because of the location at the mouth of Hyalite Canyon. Â I was definitely in the shower at the end of the day before everyone else could even get into town.
Similar to last year there was a flurry of work, climbing, eating, and drinking to be done. Â For being a relatively small town there is a great number of choices to eat and drink in town. Â This year some of the highlights were Ted’s for a Number 11 bison burger, Montana Ale Works for bacon wrapped bison meatloaf, guacamole mole burger at Copper, as well a numerous drinks at all of these fine establishments as well as many others. Â Not the least of which was Jack Tackle’s house. Â While no 25 year Macallan was opened, there were some fine malts opened. Â Jack makes a mean martini as well.
I wasn’t able to get a rope gun for any routes like Cleopatra’s Needle this time. Â I thought I might be joining Belcourt for a trip up Winter Dance (WI6 M8), but Ines Papert paired up with him for a blast up the ill-frequently forming route. Â Ines made the route onsight and was the third female ascent up the route. Â Belcourt likely made the second FYOA, fifty year old ascent behind Conrad Anker.
It was another great time and I’m hoping to get up there again next year.
