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Scales - WI2

Average Rating = 3.67/5 Average Rating : 3.67 out of 5
Route sequence (left to right): 1
Route Summary | Ascent Notes (7)
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Ice
1
70 feet.
Consensus Ratings
  Difficulty WI2
  Safety Rating PG13
  Exposure 3.00/5
  Rock Quality 3.33/5
  Scenery 2.33/5
  Fun Factor 4.00/5

Description:

This is probably the most popular Seward Highway route because of its nearness to Anchorage and easy access. Scales is a 65 degree smear of ice that usually forms up quite thickly. After the slightly steeper bulge at about 40 feet, it eases off to a series of steps. There is an anchor about 20 feet above the bulge on the left, plus another anchor about 20 feet higher thatcan be used if the ice reaches near it. Occasionaly the Department of Transportation leaves the lights on and these two routes can be climbed at night!

Submitted by: polarwid on 2003-01-30
Views: 1497
Route ID: 31590

7 Ascents Recorded

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GoRead all 7 ascent notes

Ratings
  Difficulty WI2
  Safety Rating G
  Exposure
  Rock Quality
  Scenery
  Fun Factor
Onsight Onsight ascent by: trebork2 on 2007-01-09 (View Climbing Log)

4 out of 5 stars Scales Ascent 9 Jan 07

Good quality ice. Cold day -5F. The climbs sets in good sun through the day. There was a lot of snow at the top. Setup a new anchor to the right of the one already in place.

Added: 2007-01-09

Ratings
  Difficulty WI2
  Safety Rating R
  Exposure
  Rock Quality
  Scenery
  Fun Factor
Onsight Onsight ascent by: tyify on 2006-12-27 (View Climbing Log)

4 out of 5 stars So Easy to get To

I rate this climb at a 4 just for the fact that it is so easy to access from Anchorage. The climb itself is pretty fun..and having the road lights is awesome...however like all the Arm climbs the Road noise gets old FAST. Climbed it between 10PM and 12:30AM (When they shut off the lights on us). I would suggest climbing it then if feasible just because there are fewer cars. Bring a headlamp for fiddling with gear.

A good beginner lead for people who have lead rock before. The top run out can be a little heady for a true beginner.

Added: 2006-12-29

Ratings
  Difficulty WI2
  Safety Rating G
  Exposure
  Rock Quality
  Scenery
  Fun Factor
Onsight Onsight ascent by: faust on 2006-12-01 (View Climbing Log)

3 out of 5 stars So Cool at Night

When the highway lights are on, this is a great place for some weekday evening cragging! All you need is a small headlamp for fiddling with gear.

Too bad it's so close to the highway, because this is a great beginner's lead.

Added: 2006-12-08

Ratings
  Difficulty
Red Point Red Point ascent by: akclimber on 2005-04-19 (View Climbing Log)

0 out of 5 stars Ascent Note

No comment

Added: 2005-04-19

Ratings
  Difficulty
Top Rope Top Rope ascent by: zoob on 2005-02-08 (View Climbing Log)

0 out of 5 stars Ascent Note

Got to climb this at night... the street lights were cool.
Fun for close after work action

Witnessed by: Others
Added: 2005-02-08

... Read all 7 ascent notes