Ascent Notes for: Thin Ice - 5.10b Average Rating : 4.64/5

Done in two pitches with a 70m.
Crux was definitely getting started on the chimney. I was glad I was wearing knee-pads for a solid knee/arm bar aproach. (First pitch was the best part)

but great. shamelessly aided through the flare/chimney due to impending darkness. Stout as shit at the grade, like everything at the Needles. Also like everything at the Needles, totally fantastic.

Good fingers first pitch with a slight pump at the top. Most people seem to say that the beginning of the second pitch is difficult (flared chimney thing), although getting established in the chimney off the belay is a little tricky I thought it was pretty standard after that.

17 degrees F in the am. Hands were numb after 20 feet of climbing. Pitch two is a bit tricky. You can rap with one 60m rope and some downclimbing.

This is a great route, and is (very) easy to protect - good for someone (like me) thats still not 100% secure trad-leading 10s. We used my 70m rope and linked P2+P3. I led & onsighted the first pitch, but blew it on the second - had to hang removing aided-on pro as I followed. In late September the afternoon temp wasn't too cold. Our guidebook says this is 10b. There was a move on the crux that felt like 10d (smear then high step off a decent fingerlock & crappy handjam) - but maybe thats just because I'm short. Definitely had a 'I might fall doing this' moment.

First two pitches...awsome! Last pitch in flare/chimney, sucked!

Great line, the flare might be tougher for larger people (ie men). well worth it. We rapped with 2 ropes.

Mind blowing fun. Lead every pitch.

First pitch is great and eligant, second is easy and crap.

I lead the last two pitches to the top on a 70m, fine climbing all the way.