Daks trip 2/16/02 'Presidents day weekend'

This was a good weekend on the ice but, "crowded as hell".  One benifit of the crowds though, was the fact that we got to hook up with a number of new folks; as well as meet in person a bunch of Fat Boys that we email with regulary

The trip began hooking up in Keene Valley Staying at the 'Hostel'  Darrell Neff, Maria Bauer, Gerard Randolph, and Andy Coutant. The climbing started  Saturday at Pitchoff Right up in (Cascade Pass)

The weather was somewhat sporadic with light flurries mixed with bouts driving wind and heavy snow. While back in Keene it seemed to be drisiling.  

right & below

Darrell Neff Leading Left section of Pitchoff Right

Below.    Gerard leading Pitchoff Right midsection

Darrell Belay

Andy trying desparately not to break off the icicles

Damon Bungard a new addition to the group that we met through NEICE.   Damon paddles a Kayaks for  'WAVE SPORT'  and 'OOBE' and lives up by Smuggs and about an hour from from the Daks so if you need a partner up there

damon.bungard@goodrich.com

Damon working hard not to kick through the skiiny column

Darrell cleaning screws

Getting dark we headed for the Hostel then a slide show on Everst at  Rock and River

Day 2   We head to Chouinards Gully at Chapel Pond, however the crowds were horrible at the base of a classic like Chouinards there were 4 or more teams waiting to rope up.  ahhhh!

Gerard and Andy head for Crystal Ice Tower to pass the time waiting for Chouinards to thin out.  Damon and Darrell wait it out at the bottom for their shot on Chouinards 

Below : Gerard Randolph starts Crystal Ice Tower

Gerard  C.I.T.

At the base of Chouinards Gully we meet up with Ben and Dave a father and Son Climbing team.  (Inspiring) since my kids love rock climbing and hiking but aren't big enough for ice yet, hopefully I will get to share some great days on the Ice with my kids

Left and Below: 

The team in front of us was Rick and  his partner ??   this is Rick leading Chouinards  

Left:

Rick's partner cleaning the pictch

Andy,  Chouinards

Above: Gerard traverses out on to Chouinards

Right : G. leading

Below: Jeff lutz Rappeling Chouinards

Andy crossing Chappel Pond on our way out