February 3, 2010

Teton Ice Park opens to winter climbers

The Teton Ice Park in Wyoming is a new 40-foot manmade wall of ice, offering climbers and enthusiasts the chance to get to grips with rock climbing's winter sibling

Ice Park Teton: Gully Buttress, Teton — Local mountaineering school Aerial Boundaries used 600 feet of pipe and a 3,000 gallon water tanker, to create the ice wall in Grand Targhee resort in the Teton mountains, Wyoming.
Photograph: Christian Santelices/Teton Ice Park Photograph: Christian Santelices/guardian.co.uk

Ice Park Teton: Ice climber in Teton — A climber ascends using the technique of top roping, where the rope is anchored above him so if he loses purchase on the wall he won't fall far. In the background lies Grand Targhee Resort and the Sacajawea chairlift.
Photograph: Tony Jewell/Teton Ice Park Photograph: Tony Jewell/guardian.co.uk

Guide on ice wall — This is the first year of operation for the Teton ice park, and developer Christian Santelices has already had to overcome problems including split pipes. Ice axes and crampons are used to hook into the ice. Photograph: Andy Bardon/Teton Ice Park Photograph: Andy Bardon/guardian.co.uk

Ice climber in gully — The ice forms from water poured over vertical cliffs and gentler slopes - known locally as the 'Parking Lot Rocks', creating the perfect place to learn and practice the sport of ice climbing. Here mountain guide Brendan O'Neill climbs the Central Gully on the KB Wall. Photograph: Andy Bardon/Teton Ice Park Photograph: Andy Bardon/guardian.co.uk

Ice Park Teton: Child on ice wall — The wall isn't just for experienced climbers. Beginners can climb with an instructor, with a four hour lesson starting at £65. Here newbie Francisco Lopez takes a rest on his first day of climbing.
Photograph: Christian Santelices/Teton Ice Park Photograph: Christian Santelices/guardian.co.uk

Ice Park Teton: Climber topping out on ice wall — There are many different routes up the wall and climbers have to deal with a range of conditions - including rock. A climber (yellow jacket) 'tops out' on one section of the ice wall while his partner belays from below (green jacket.)
Photograph: Christian Santelices/Teton Ice Park Photograph: Christian Santelices/guardian.co.uk

Ice Park Teton: Descending the ice wall — Climbers descend the wall by abseiling.
Photograph: Christian Santelices/Teton Ice Park Photograph: Christian Santelices/guardian.co.uk

Ice Park Teton: Central gully of KB wall, Teton ice park — Christian is hoping the ice wall will become a permanent feature each winter. It provides easy access climbing for guides to teach on and has become popular with local climbers.
Photograph: Christian Santelices/Teton Ice Park Photograph: Christian Santelices/guardian.co.uk

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