Into an Abyss

So it wasn’t exactly an abyss, but it was a 50′ frozen waterfall we rappelled down from the top so that we could climb back up.

Craig and I did a quick trip to the Catskills last week. We hit the Playground in the Stony Clove region in the morning, then accidentally came across the Bridalveil falls while looking for Lower Devil’s Kitchen in the Platte Clove region. We couldn’t quite see the bottom of the falls and weren’t sure it was completely frozen all the way, but when we saw the bottom of the rope land on ice and not splash water after throwing it over, we had a decent idea that it was ok.

Overall we had a great time. It was a nice way to end the season. For a few moments each of us was even able to achieve ice climbing nirvana with near perfect technique. Hopefully we remember what we learned this winter at the start of next years season and can continue to progress.

– b