Corba Verde - WI3, 250m (ish)

View to Corba Verde

Friday the 19, got out for a fun day of ice climbing. I have never climbed Corba Verde and was keen to check it out. Way back in the mid 1990's Ian Hunt had spied this a new line for a first ascent, but we never checked it and the first ascent went to another team. Had to break trail to the base of the route. Doesn’t look like anyone has been on this route for a few weeks? 

Great view to King Creek and the mighty Opal Range.

Well getting geared up, Laurie is like, hmm, I didn’t bring a belay device? WTH. Okay we will make this work. I led up the first pitch, a solid WI3. Set up an anchor and had Laurie lower me. We then top roped the first pitch into submission. Worth noting; the exit off the ice near the top has open water and a big portion of the ice sheet at the top is undermined by running water and a huge 1-2 foot gap between the rock and the ice sheet. Pretty sketchy. Otherwise a great day out and we got a great pump from all the laps. 

Lots of trail breaking at the base of the route as well.

Getting closer

View back to Laurie at lower belay stance.
He had to move way closer once the top rope was set up.

Laurie's photo of me leading the pitch.

Top rope in place. 

OSWB enjoying the day out.
Photo by Laurie. 

Some of the scary holes in the thin ice sheet 
on the upper section of the route. 
Scary for sure.

Photo does not really show how scary the thin ice sheet was.
Thankfully, much of the thin sheet was right of my line.

Miller time, great day out.