Starting out with a bang!

I definitely started my new year with a crazy adventure.

Ice Climbing!

Imagine using crampons (a bunch of spikes that you clamp to the bottom of a boot) and an ice axe to scramble up a frozen waterfall. Yes, I spoke correctly. A frozen waterfall. Please don't ask me how a waterfall could possibly freeze, because it still boggles my mind. I just hope it doesn't thaw while I'm hanging on for dear life! This is an annual tradition between me and my dad. Each winter break we spend a day exploring the frozen cataracts of Hyalite Canyon. This time the larger waterfalls were crowded with climbers taking advantage of the holiday. We chose a less crowded, smaller waterfall to practice important skills such as lead climbing, belaying, and self-repelling. Using our crampons, ice axes, rope, ice screws and quick draws, we were able to slowly ascend the frozen stream. Here's just a sample of what this looks like. 

At that point, the camera popped off my helmet and fell down into the snow at the base of the hill. (I didn't fall off, no worries!)

Here's an example of the ground-level view. This time, my dad is lead climbing up to the summit, which involves screwing ice screws into the ice (I know that was repetitive, but I couldn't figure out how else to say it). This is much more dangerous because you have to balance against the ice while you are attaching the next screw. Furthermore, the distance you fall is much larger than if you were attached to something at the top. 

On the way back down, we latched the rope to a line that was already attached to a tree at the top and pray that it doesn't break!

It didn't and we returned home safely. What an exciting day!