Seeing the dismal weather forecast this coming week, we decided we should try to get a bit of an "Ice Fix" this evening. We grabbed the ice gear and caving helmets, and setup a couple top ropes on several variations at Rosecrans Pillar. No photos, but here are a couple videos from tonight's activity.

Night Climbing Ice at Rosecrans Pillar - January 25, 2016 (YouTube)

Ice Climbing, Rosecrans Pillar - January 25, 2016 (YouTube)

Too much rain and not enough cold temperatures have kept us off the ice so far this season. Single digit temps during the first week of January did give us a good start, but a warm front and heavy rain on January 9th wiped it out. This past week did give us some growth, but the main falls are still running too strong to form, and only the weeping walls and seeps are growing.

(L) The low angle approach to Roadside Gully is running too strong to form.       (R) The vertical pillars up high on the third tier of Roadside Gully are showing potential.

We also checked on the Rosecrans Pillar in the McElhattan Gorge. Just down stream from McElhattan Falls and Rosecrans Falls, this short steep pillar requires a lot of ground water to form, and this year it is nearly touching down. Check out this old 2005 Video of the Rosecrans Pillar in stellar condition. Hopefully this flow will be ready by next weekend.

Roadside Gully along Rt. 120 North of Lock Haven has plenty of water, but desperately need 2 solid weeks of single digits to bring it in. Seasonal temps have finally come to Central Pennsylvania, and we can only hope this trend continues.