Took a trip to Campbell Run Falls in the PA Grand Canyon with Chris Sommer, Jake Cramer, and Randy Edelman. We put in some time pulling laps on the short WI4 pillars at the lower falls, then moved back up to check out a line that had touched down on the South wall in the upper amphitheater. Jake Cramer's past 3 visits to Campbell Falls, this flow had not even been close to touching down, and it’s not mentioned in Griz's Ice Climbing PA guide. Northerly exposure and high groundwater flow definitely contributed to it coming in. Chris Sommer led it, while Jake Cramer held the dull end. Unless anyone has info on it being climbed before, we believe it may be a FA.  Highly doubtful that it will come in or be climbed again any time soon, but there is a jive ass root/sapling anchor up top for your rappelling pleasure - “Dirty Wet Pillar”, WI3/4 ~70 feet, FA Chris Sommer 2/3/2019.

Edit: (2/6/2019) Warm temperatures started on Sunday, and it has been in the 50's several days this week with rain, so unless this trend turns around, this may unfortunately spell the end of ice in PA this season.

Photos from the day...

Tim Gronski sent us photos and description of an undocumented ice climbing area on the back side of Montage Mountain near Scranton, PA. Looks like a nice area to explore.

Tim writes: These pictures were taken on 02/02/19. This spot can be seen from I-81 in the area of in between the Davis Street and River Street exit. Approximately mile marker 182. If you were to take the Davis Street exit and get onto Montage Mountain Road, there is a parking lot near the Burger King and gas station. You can park there and at the end of the lot, there is a steel gate that leads into the woods. If you follow the path you will run into a set of rail road tracks. Once you hit the tracks, start hiking north. Approximately a 1.5 mile approach walking along side the rail road tracks. You will be able to see interstate 81 to your left off in the distance, and to your right is a bit of a steep incline then some pretty decent climbing from water coming off the backside of the mountain. This was my first year ever scouting and climbing back here and I think it is well worth the short trip. A couple very steep ice pillars and also some more mellow climbing. Longest pitch being approximately 50-60 feet. The top of the climb is accessible with plenty of natural anchors to set up a top rope. 

Cold weather is coming! Lets hope for favorable conditions this year.

Feel free to check our Ice Condition Archive Pages located along the right sidebar to see what we can expect if the weather cooperates. Please use this site and www.NEIce.com to assist you in determining where to climb.

HELP WANTED! Please help keep this site up to date. Use the conditions form listed on the "Submit" tab above, or email your Pennsylvania Ice Climbing trip reports and photos to dave@hikebikeclimb.net and I will post them