Washington Ice: A Climbing Guide

* Presents more than 200 waterfall ice routes and alpine ice climbs in 28 areas in all regions of the state

* Several Washington climbing schools offer specific courses in ice climbing

* Includes information on how weather patterns affect ice routes and the best times to climb, from KING5 TV's Jeff Renner



From established ice areas such as Alpental and Leavenworth, to routes being developed (or rediscovered) around Coulee City and Wenatchee, the word is finally out: There are ample opportunities for quality ice climbing in Washington state! Arctic Grail, The Drip, and Hanging Curtain are just a few of the hottest ice routes that await you. Even more exciting, there are many routes yet to be conquered! Veteran ice climber Alex Krawarik and mountain guide Jason D. Martin have consulted with ice climbing experts around the state to ensure the greatest accuracy and the best selection of routes.

JASON D. MARTIN is a professional guide and a long-term climber. He currently works as a guide for the American Alpine Institute in Bellingham, which Jon Krakauer called "The best all-around climbing school and guiding service in North America." He is also a professional member of the American Mountain Guides Association. Jason has guided many routes on Mount Rainier, Glacier Peak, Liberty Bell, Concord Tower, South Early Winter Spire, Sahale Peak, Mount Shuksan, and Mount Baker. On ice, he has guided top-rope and lead climb seminars on the Coleman Glacier of Mount Baker, and has also guided clientele up harder ice routes on Baker, including the North Ridge and the Moustache. He has been involved in first ascents on ice, rock, and in the high alpine. Both as research for this ice guide and as an ice climber, Jason may have visited more local ice areas than anyone currently living in Washington.

ALEX KRAWARIK has been climbing rock and ice throughout the world for fourteen years. He has done routes in the Alaska Range, the Canadian Rockies, the Alps, and the Cascades. While attending college in New York State, Alex served as the director of the climbing program for the Syracuse University Outing Club and wrote a small guide to Central New York ice climbs. On moving to the Pacific Northwest in 1993, he began climbing ice in the Cascades and took annual week-long trips to the Canadian Rockies and the British Columbia interior. There he climbed such classics as Weeping Wall, Murchison Falls, Synchronicity, and the Professor. Here in Washington, Alex has been instrumental in reviving interest in local ice climbing by evangelizing and by exploring new ice climbing areas. When not out climbing, he works as a technical writer/software developer in the computer industry.