SOUTH FORK
Description
The South Fork of the Shoshone River, 35 miles outside the small town of Cody, Wyoming is home to some of the best ice climbing in the United States. The valley hosts the highest concentration of ice in the lower 48 states. The season begins as early as October and can run into the long sunny days of April. Typically over 150 pitches of ice form in the valley providing some of the hardest routes in the U.S. and some of the easiest. Cody attracts a small group of climbers each year. Steep approaches, long routes, and untouched ice will leave the average climber whipped by the end of the day. There is only a handful of locals that make up the ice climbing community, and they tell tales of WI3 feeling like WI5.
The Shoshone canyon is located on Hwy 14/16/20 a few miles west of the city limits. The turn off for cedar mountain bouldering is the first left after entering the canyon. It is the obvious switchback dirt road leading up the mountain. The limestone crags are on the north side of the road on Rattlesnake Mountain accessed by the only two right turn options in the canyon. The granite areas are at the west end of the canyon near the tunnels.
AREAS:
Lower Valley
The two routes here are found on the first major cliffs encountered on the right hand side of the road. Look for a series … Read the rest
Illogicicle Drainage
Illogicicle Drainage The Illogicicle drainage is the first major drainage after the Lower Valley climbing area. This area is not very popular due to its … Read the rest
Schoolhouse Creek
Schoolhouse Creek Perhaps one of the most prominent drainages of ice seen first while traveling up the South Fork road the Schoolhouse creek drainage is … Read the rest
The Cemetery
THE CEMETERY A half mile from the Ishawooa Trailhead is an easily overlooked cemetery a few hundred yards off the road on the … Read the rest
Stringer Area
Stringer Area This area is also known as the Slow Turning area in the Winter Dance Guidebook but because the first pitch of this route … Read the rest
Legg Creek
Legg Creek Legg Creek is home to one of the stoutest routes in the valley “Ovisight” and some other notable climbs. The Legg creek drainage … Read the rest
Dental Floss
Dental Floss The Dental Floss area is often overlooked but can provide some very enjoyable climbing. You will spot the area in two different ways. … Read the rest
Triptych Drainage
Triptych Drainage The Triptych area is choked full of classic ice climbing and is home to some of the South Forks major test pieces. Long … Read the rest
Broken Hearts Area
Broken Hearts The Broken Hearts area is one of the most well known in the valley hosting the classic Broken Hearts route. The routes listed … Read the rest
Deer Creek
Deer Creek Area The Deer Creek area has plenty of ice climbs for all abilities and is one of the larger geographic areas described. The … Read the rest
Carter Mountain
Carter Mountain The Meadows- This area is used primarily for early season and late season ice climbing. Ice climbing can start in this area as early … Read the rest
