Broken Hearts
February 20, 2009

Exerpt from the trip report:

We tried to get up early for this one, but by the time we were at the parking spot it was already passing 9:30am :( Another not-so-alpine start, oh well. Off we went, hiking up the drainage... again. However this approach is relatively short. I linked the first two pitches again, and Karétook the 3rd pitch, which had some tricky ice. It was dumping snow and the sun was nowhere to be found, which was great on this south-facing climb (and that's why we picked it). We dragged the ropes to another (4th) pitch, after which many steps of rolling ice took us to the upper amphitheatre that hosts the 5th pitch of the climb, My Only Valentine. The Carotid Artery (grade 6) was also formed and somewhat fat, and that's what we wanted to climb. Since Keith and Rich were on it, I started up My Only Valentine, only to find a soaking shower: I didn't even have goretex, and it was pretty miserable so I backed down and went over to the artery. Rich had just come down and said that the screws weren't so good due to pockets of air - the climb was aerated making for questionable protection. Sadly this discouraged me and Karé and since it was already 3:30pm anyway (damn it, we should get an earlier start next time), we decided to head back down. We'll leave that one for next time, or perhaps we'll get strong enough to attempt the mixed climb in the back (as it rarely forms as a complete ice climb).

  The first pitch of Broken Hearts Snowy day: looking down at the approach we just did  
  The first pitch of Broken Hearts Snowy day: looking down at the approach we just did

  Starting the first pitch Karen on the 3rd pitch of Broken Hearts  
  Starting the first pitch Karen on the 3rd pitch of Broken Hearts

  4th pitch Climbing rambling ice to reach the 5th pitch (this went on forever)  
  4th pitch Climbing rambling ice to reach the 5th pitch (this went on forever)

  Carotid Artery (WI 6, left) and My Only Valentine (WI 5, right) Rich on the Carotid Artery, with Keith belaying as it's dumping snow My Only Valentine: pouring with water like crazy  
  Carotid Artery (WI 6, left) and My Only Valentine (WI 5, right) Rich on the Carotid Artery, with Keith belaying as it's dumping snow My Only Valentine: pouring with water like crazy

  The Carotid Artery The Carotid Artery  
  The Carotid Artery The Carotid Artery

  Close up of The Carotid Artery We decided to get out of there Rappelling Broken Hearts  
  Close up of The Carotid Artery We decided to get out of there Rappelling Broken Hearts

  Our newly learned abalakov trick: no cord needed! Sheep  
  Our newly learned abalakov trick: no cord needed! Sheep

   
 

   
 

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