My first foray into ice climbing. Who knew knives could be so much fun?!

Our first ice outing. Toprope downstream from Palenville Corner. Mid-March, 2005. Photo of Kim Graves taken by his partner, Matt Hayes

Our first ice outing. Toprope downstream from Palenville Corner. Mid-March, 2005. Photo of Kim Graves taken by his partner, Matt Hayes

We were just out for a short fast day hike/run up the carriage road to Overlook Mountain on one of those warm November days. This is one of those easy yet satifying mountains. The type that they could easily pave a road with a parking area to the top of if we weren't living in NY State. The fire tower is a nice touch but the views are exceptional without it. Basically, you can get a good fast workout and to the top of something with a great panoramic at any point in the day (or night). It's moderately steep but sustained and, well, it's a carriage road so I can't really say much else. But Overlook is also a gateway or exit point to the Indian Head Wilderness which includes the Devils Path and crosses most of the great Catskill ice climbing areas which include: Devils Kitchen, Hell Hole, and Stoney Clove. In anycase, I'd wished I'd packed a tripod because this shot could have been better with better framing and more composition. But then I also wish I'd taken some extra layers for the trip down because after sunset it got damn chilly.

I am enjoying this fun route near the playground in the Catskills, unaware that my alert and attentive belayer is concentrating on the photography!

For such a short mountain (3780'), Wittenberg offers a really cool view, which is even better than those available from the higher peaks in the area. Ok, so it's not technically a climbing picture, but my group did have to do some grade 4 scrambling to get here. Photo by a friend of mine who doesn't know she's a climber yet. I drastically shrunk the image to meet RC.com standards, so if you want a more detailed version, feel free to look here.

On an icy Sunday in February 2003, Alpine Endeavors led a group of intrepid members from the New York City-based Jewish Outdoors Club (JOC) for a day of Ice Climbing at Deep Notch in the High Catskills. Mike from Alpine Endeavors, a fine climber, expert guide, and all-around great person, snapped this shot of me scaling one of the three easy topropes he and his assistant Cody set that day. This was my first experience on ice which was a nice way to break up the monotany of winter gym climbing in NYC.

This was our first time trying ice climbing. We loved it. It was only on TR but was great. Now we just have to figure out if we can afford to invest in all the gear. This, I believe, was at a place called Plotters Kill, near Scenectady, NY.

Nice view of Kaaterskill falls. Taken in Jan '03. It was a kickiin season for ice and hopefully we will get the same next year

Getting ready to TR some nice staff (WI-6) so I have to work on my cardiovascular ability…so you got a smoke???

Me leading the “Little black dike” just a simple climb (WI-3) on mid February weekend

Dan getting ready to put in another screw on the 1st of 3 pitches. The Ice was a little brittle but was good enough.

This photo was taken after the first pitch and behind the main falls. There was still quite a bit of water coming down beind there.

Here I am soloing some climbs out at the Catskill Just for the fun of it after leading some climb next to it

Here is another when I am soloing some climbs out at the Catskill after a fun lead on the neighbor pilar

Winter in the Catskills can give a wide variety of climbs to challenge the aspiring leader and seasoned climber alike.

This one usually comes in for a while each winter. Watch out for warm days though it falls down several times each year.

This classic line is one of those that aspiring leaders find as a challenge to be reconed with.

this climb doesnt come in every year but when it does its a classic line that requires intricate work to tick off you'r list.

Out with EMS following up on Buttermilk!