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Routes : North America : United States : Alaska : Kenai Peninsula : Deep Creek Bluffs ICE

Deep Creek Bluffs ICE

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Climbing Sections:

About Deep Creek Bluffs ICE:

Most people go to Deep Creek for the clamming, but the bluffs above the beach provide a lot a frozen waterfalls for the ice climber in the winter. West facing, it has consistent ice from late November to early March. NOTE TO BELAYERS: Keep an eye on the tides, the water comes all of the way up to the cliffs, and keep an eye on the climber...on sunny days, the view of the mountains across the Cook Inlet is quite spectacular and can be distracting! The seepages originate from a coal band about half way up the cliff, which leaves about 100 feet of 45 degree sand to climb to reach the cliff top. Though easy to climb, you may need 300 foot ropes to reach the top and set up a belay. Though the ice is good quality, climbers used to blue ice will find this ice quite ugly. The water carries the sand and grit with it, causing weird color changes and variable conditions on most routes, but they are almost all steep. Definately worth a visit for the scenery and the steep ice. Routes are listed from left to right as you face the bluffs. The route lengths are to the top of the normal ice formation at the coal band, not to the top of the cliff.
Nearest town or city: Deep Creek
Directions: Follow the Sterling Highway to Mile 139, just out of Ninilchik. Walk about 100 yards toward the Cook Inlet until you reach the top of the bluffs. Find a wide gully in the top of the bluff and descend it on the left as you face the Inlet. Turn around and the routes will be to the south of the access gully.
Latitude, Longitude:
Access Issues:
Camping: Yes
When to Climb:
Quantity of Climbs: Year