http://stephenkoch.com/2009/10/exposure-with-a-view-black-ice-couloir/ Professional Speaker, Mountain Guide, Snowboard Instructor, Alpinist and Family Man Mon, 16 Apr 2012 21:10:51 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 http://stephenkoch.com/2009/10/exposure-with-a-view-black-ice-couloir/comment-page-1/#comment-13567 Stephen Koch Sat, 06 Feb 2010 11:54:10 +0000 http://stephenkoch.com/?p=1055#comment-13567 Thanks for sharing your experience Alexander! I was not familiar with the Grand Circumcision. Wow...going from climber to Monk. What brought that change on and what do your current "ascents" feel like? Thanks for sharing your experience Alexander! I was not familiar with the Grand Circumcision. Wow…going from climber to Monk. What brought that change on and what do your current “ascents” feel like?

]]> http://stephenkoch.com/2009/10/exposure-with-a-view-black-ice-couloir/comment-page-1/#comment-13492 Alexander Fri, 05 Feb 2010 03:30:34 +0000 http://stephenkoch.com/?p=1055#comment-13492 Thanks for posting about the Black Ice. My first trip to the black was an hilarious epic. Two friends and I made the trip in the summer of 2001 (I think) and got off-route, ending up North of the Summit of the Grand. Apparently this happens occasionally to climbers who get confused on the backside of the big mountain. We ended up descending a scary scree gulley the next day after a cold night on a ledge and rapped off boulders and other untrustworthy items. Guides told us this mistaken route is called the "Grand Circumcision". It was my first real mixed climb attempt. A year later two of us came back to enjoy the real Black Ice and it was a fine day. It was generally enjoyable and rhythmic except for one scary rock traverse that my partner led. Later I became a Russian Orthodox Monk and now pursue a different kind of "ascent" but I agree, solos are the most extraordinary type of experience to be had in the mountains and I understand your attraction. It's sad to hear the Black is suffering. I remember a big snowfield at the bottom - maybe it's even gone now. All the best to you and your family. Thanks for posting about the Black Ice. My first trip to the black was an hilarious epic. Two friends and I made the trip in the summer of 2001 (I think) and got off-route, ending up North of the Summit of the Grand. Apparently this happens occasionally to climbers who get confused on the backside of the big mountain. We ended up descending a scary scree gulley the next day after a cold night on a ledge and rapped off boulders and other untrustworthy items. Guides told us this mistaken route is called the “Grand Circumcision”. It was my first real mixed climb attempt. A year later two of us came back to enjoy the real Black Ice and it was a fine day. It was generally enjoyable and rhythmic except for one scary rock traverse that my partner led. Later I became a Russian Orthodox Monk and now pursue a different kind of “ascent” but I agree, solos are the most extraordinary type of experience to be had in the mountains and I understand your attraction. It’s sad to hear the Black is suffering. I remember a big snowfield at the bottom – maybe it’s even gone now. All the best to you and your family.

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