I've been waniting to get some shots of 'The Fang". infamous ice column in Vail, which has claimed numerous victims, notably a climber last Winter who had it collapse beneath him, falling 100+ feet and remarkably not dying (though seriously hurt!). Scott B took some fisheye shots that you can find everywhere on the net. Unfortunately, the structure collapsed shortly after it formed this Winter, and by the time it reformed the weather got warm and its been unclimbable. But i had my heart set on at least seeing it, so i drove up after i got tired of the brutal winds on Pikes Peak and got there mid afternoon. It looks so easy to get there from the highway (you can see it from I-70) but even though its less than a mile hike, the slopes are steep and since i was there on a friday after a storm, i had to break trail through several feet of powder. But i had the place to myself for a while until a few climbers showed up late and i took a few pics of them working a mixed route. Here's the Fang, in its pristine unclimbable state!
5) RMI guide moving quickly up a mixed route behind the Fang.
Hope the Fang forms well next year, and im still looking for a climber to model it, cause all the money in the world wouldnt get me up on that Thang...
Posted by Joe Rogers on March 21, 2011 at 12:23 PM
Fantastic images, Stan.....,but, please, clue me in about this ice structure since I am not a native. Joe Rogers
Too bad it wasn't completely formed, cuz it's an impressive piece of nature's work. That first one is my favorite of this series, and even though it's not formed, it still is formed enough to warrant its name.
I like #4 as well, since it screams winter.
Joe: The Fang is a 212 foot tall column of ice in East Vail on the south valley wall, visible from I-70. There have been a number of years where it hasn't formed as it takes a couple of months of cold weather combined with a minimal amount of runoff from above. Climbers at one time used to hang a rope off the ledge early in the season to give it a foundation on which to form. If you're interested in going there, I heard there have been parking tickets issued in the recent past because of where climbers parked. I think they only allow parking at the I-70 bus stop parking area now.
Yeah, Don pretty much summarizes it. I researched the climbing forums to get info on parking, which is something you dont mess with in Vail. The hike is marked with signs, so its easy to find. Just have to avoid crossing the nordic trails, unless you want skiiers very mad at you. I hate to give out any info on spots like this cause its crowded enough already, but such is the nature of the beast...
Posted by Todd Caudle on March 21, 2011 at 1:41 PM
Wow, these are really neat, Stan! That first one is the best, and #3 suffers from some pretty strong hdr haloing, but this is cool stuff.
Ouch--youre right, there are some hideous haloes around #3, funny i didnt even notice them in the TIF-stupid jpegs make everyhting look worse.
Posted by Grant Collier on March 21, 2011 at 3:25 PM
Nice shots! I too like the first one. I was going to hike up to this a couple of months ago, but the deep snow and an injured foot made me a little lazy...so I took a telephoto shot from a distance and kept it on my "to do" list.
Posted by Rene Pirolt on March 21, 2011 at 6:31 PM
Awesome shots Stan - as usual! I was hoping for a shot of this myself. Oh well, its on the list for next year.
I also like the first the best. I'd never even heard of this thing 'til now, and you showcased it well.
Posted by Paul Martin on March 21, 2011 at 7:47 PM
Nice work, Stan -- I 'm digging the first one as well. Definitely has been on my to-do list for awhile. I have a buddy who ice climbs, so I might have to talk him into heading up there next winter.
Posted by Jeff Hackett on March 21, 2011 at 9:34 PM
#1 is my fave and 4 is a cool (no pun) detail, I like those kind of images.
I love all of them, with the exception of #3 as we discussed. 1 is my favorite of the group.
Posted by Doug Koepsel on March 22, 2011 at 9:11 PM
I would run with the first. I like the bordering firs and the blue of the ice fang.
Perhaps merge several images to capture a litttle more to the top and bottom?
Posted by Dan Walters on March 27, 2011 at 11:24 PM
Really like the close up! Great detail in the ice!
Discussion
21 repliesHope the Fang forms well next year, and im still looking for a climber to model it, cause all the money in the world wouldnt get me up on that Thang...
I like #4 as well, since it screams winter.
Joe: The Fang is a 212 foot tall column of ice in East Vail on the south valley wall, visible from I-70. There have been a number of years where it hasn't formed as it takes a couple of months of cold weather combined with a minimal amount of runoff from above. Climbers at one time used to hang a rope off the ledge early in the season to give it a foundation on which to form. If you're interested in going there, I heard there have been parking tickets issued in the recent past because of where climbers parked. I think they only allow parking at the I-70 bus stop parking area now.
Perhaps merge several images to capture a litttle more to the top and bottom?