This past week I did an ice climbing shoot for Patagonia, Black Diamond and Rab. I left on Friday and battled horrible road conditions to get up to Cody, WY. I have a couple great friends who live in Cody and they just happen to be amazing ice climbers. Aaron Mulkey, Hilary Eisen, Kelly Dedel and Becca Cedel and I went out for a couple great days sampling the ice in the area. The first day we did the classic Broken Hearted and the second day we got Ice Fest which hasn’t been formed in about 10 years. Then I was off to Bozeman, my second home, to meet up with my friend Pete Tapley to crush some ice in Hylite Canyon. Monday morning at 6 I get a text from Pete that the slipped disk in his back had a different idea of what we were going to do that day. So I took care of a bunch of office work via my lap top and tried to find a crew for the next day. Later that afternoon I get a call from Pete that he wanted to give climbing a go and so we made plans to crush a line in Hylite that also hasn’t been formed in about 10 years.
The next day was beautiful and we hiked up to Home Field Advantage and waited for the sun to hit. I have waited for sun hundreds of times shooting skiing but never for ice. It was well worth it in the end. Pete got a touch wet and I’m pretty sure the climb fell down when we got off of it but we managed to pull a few hundred money shots from that one climb to make it all worth it.
Here are some of my favorites from this trip. I’m heading back up to Montana for another shot on Sunday. Should be epic!
Hilary hiking up to Broken Hearts
Hilary making the first pitch look easy
The Ladies! Hilary taking the sharp end for Kelly and Rebecca
The true look of determination!
Aaron flying through the steeps of Ice Fest
Aaron and Hilary changing over on the belay mid way up on Ice Fest
Gunning for the top and shaking out the burn!
You think this looks easy?
Pete Tapley finishing out Home Field Advantage