This short trip report covers a nice half-day of ice climbing at a line of crags near the village of Calabogie, Ontario - about 1 hour's drive west from Ottawa, Canada. It was a late winter (actually, early spring) day that let us climb ice with nicely moderated temperatures that hovered just above the freezing mark.
Seven of us congregated at the trailhed along Ontario 508 near Calabogie - myself (Andrew), Jenn, Roland, Stephanie, Sara, Jean, and Isabel.
courtesy RHanel
The ice climbing is located on a north-to-south escarpment that runs almost from the highway. A prominent overview sign shows where the trail - alternatively called the Manitou Mountain Trail and the Little Pine Path - starts.
courtesy RHanel
One nice feature of this climbing location is that it is located quite close to the trailhead. It wasn't more than a few hundred metres along the well-packed path that we arrived at the first bit of climbable escarpment.
We headed past the "fattest" (thickest-looking of the ice that was coating the cliffs). There were already a few other climbing parties setting up ahead of us, and we wanted to explore whether or not there were some alternative sites available. Unfortunately, there weren't: beyond two well-developed sections, the ice thickness and prevalence quickly waned. We then decided to turn around and head back north, this time directly along the base of the cliffs, looking for a good spot to insert ourselves.
courtesy RHanel
Much better stretch of ice
We made our way past a group of climbers that had set up at two of the best sections of ice. They befriended us and quickly offered us the use of one [section] upon which they'd already set up a rope, but had not yet started climbing on. Very kind and friendly of them.
Now with a spot to call our own for a few hours, we dropped our gear and set up. Roland used the other climbers' existing top-rope to haul up our ropes and set up two climbs - one more vertical and the other less so.
With no breeze and above freezing temperatures, and with the sun occasionally poking through the overcast, it felt quite mild. There were drips of water here and there, although there was no major water drippage on the routes we had set up.
We had a very pleasant climbing session for the next few hours or so. Jean provided some useful basic ice climbing technique instructions, as well as participating in an on-and-off discussion on the particulars of climbing communication protocol. Belay on? On Belay!
courtesy RHanel
courtesy RHanel
courtesy RHanel
courtesy RHanel
courtesy RHanel
